Matt Casey has signed his first professional contract with Pompey.
The 19-year-old centre-back has penned a one-year deal, with the club holding an option for an extra year.
Casey appeared three times for the first team last season, appearing in Checkatrade Trophy victories over Arsenal U21s, Southend and Peterborough.
2️⃣ confirmed #Pompey debuts this evening, with both Matt Casey and Freddie Read in the starting XI against Arsenal U21s 👇
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) 4 December 2018
And with Leon Pitman, Leon Maloney, Josh Flint, Oscar Johnston and Dan Smith all among the substitutes, we could see as many as 5️⃣ 💪 pic.twitter.com/3V5OMOa1BP
He said: “I’ve got to try to keep pushing myself and looking to develop as a player. I need to prove myself to the manager.
“I broke my collarbone early on last season and that was disappointing because it set me back a little bit.
"I’ve got to try to keep pushing myself and looking to develop as a player."
“But I returned from that and was able to make my debut for Pompey – I’ve just tried to keep progressing from there.
“It was a great game against Arsenal, although there were a few nerves about walking out at Fratton Park.
“But I soon put them aside when it started and I got on the ball for the first time – I ended up enjoying it.”
Casey also gained experience with spells on loan at non-league Weymouth, Gosport and Basingstoke last term.
He said: “It helped my physically and mentally to be involved in men’s football compared to being in youth games against smaller players.”