Portsmouth have reached an agreement to sign Josh Knight from Hannover, with the former Peterborough United defender set to return to the Championship.
The 26-year-old is expected to cost Pompey around €1 million plus add-ons, with personal terms already agreed ahead of his move back to English football.
Knight Set for Fratton Park Switch
Knight spent last season in Germany’s second tier after joining Hannover from Peterborough on a free transfer. He made 23 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga but is now poised to bolster Portsmouth’s defence as John Mousinho looks to shore up a back line that conceded 71 goals in the 2024/25 campaign.
According to Sky Deutschland, Pompey will pay just over €1m for the versatile defender, who has been a long-term target. The deal provides Mousinho with much-needed reinforcement in an area of the pitch where the club have been vulnerable, having focused much of their summer business on attacking additions such as Adrian Segecic, Florian Bianchini and Tottenham loanee Yang Min-Hyeok.
🚨💥 Josh Knight to Portsmouth – DONE DEAL!
Full agreement in principle has been reached with Hannover 96, following the prior verbal agreement with the 27 y/o centre-back.
The total transfer fee is understood to be €1 million, plus add-ons.@SkySportDE 🏴 pic.twitter.com/VK1puUST8V
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 20, 2025
Knight is no stranger to Championship football, having played 169 times for Peterborough before his move abroad. His experience and adaptability will add depth to a Portsmouth squad that has looked short of defensive cover throughout the summer.
Further Recruitment Expected
The Hampshire club are not expected to stop at Knight. A striker is also high on the list of priorities, with Mousinho eager to ease the goalscoring burden on captain Colby Bishop, who carried much of the responsibility last season. St Johnstone forward Makenzie Kirk has emerged as a leading target, and a formal bid is thought to be imminent.
For now, securing Knight represents a significant step forward in Pompey’s transfer window, addressing a glaring weakness in the squad. With less than two weeks remaining before the deadline, the club are working to ensure they are not left short in key areas for another demanding Championship campaign.
Writer’s View
Knight’s arrival at Fratton Park looks a smart piece of business for Portsmouth. At a relatively modest fee, they are bringing in a player with proven Championship experience and the hunger to re-establish himself in English football. Defensive frailties were a major issue in 2024/25, and while Knight cannot solve them single-handedly, his presence adds reliability and leadership at the back.
If the club can complement this signing with a centre-forward to support Bishop, Pompey may find themselves in a far stronger position to push clear of another relegation battle.
