Callum Lang had been with Wigan since the age of 14, with a League One title among his achievements.
So the 25-year-old forward admitted it was not an easy decision to call time on his career with the Latics.
But once his mind was made up – and following the advice of a couple of familiar names – it was a much simpler choice to decide his next step.
And after completing a switch to Pompey, Lang cannot wait to pull on the famous blue shirt for the first time.
He said: “I made the decision that it was probably time for me to move on from Wigan, so it was about hearing from a few clubs and picking the best one.
“This feels like the right fit for me. I’m excited that everything’s done and now I just can’t wait to get started.
“It was a tough decision for me to leave after more than 10 years and coming through the academy – I owe them so much. But I also think that I gave a lot back.
"I’ve loved the atmosphere whenever I’ve played down here and now I’m really excited to be a part of that. It was a major pull."
“I think my family would have preferred me to stay in the north, but football’s a short career and I wanted to go where I had the best opportunity.
“I spoke to Tom Naylor and Jack Whatmough and they only had good things to say about the club. I’m looking for a place to live and they’ll be helping me out!
“I’ve loved the atmosphere whenever I’ve played down here and now I’m really excited to be a part of that. It was a major pull.
“This is a club that I’ve always done well against, so hopefully I can keep scoring goals now that I’m wearing the shirt.
“I see a lot in this side that I also saw in the Wigan team when we went up. We can play football and also win a fight when we have to.”
Lang could make his debut when Pompey make the relatively short trip up to Oxford on Tuesday evening.
He said: “I’ve only been here for a few hours, so it will be the manager’s decision whether I’m ready to play.
“But I feel fit and I can’t wait to put that Pompey shirt on and be out there on the pitch helping the team.”