Report Claims Goalkeeper Set for Portsmouth Medical as €600,000 Transfer Nears Completion
Portsmouth are edging closer to completing the signing of goalkeeper Daniel Bielica from Dutch side NAC Breda, with reports indicating that the transfer is now effectively finalised.
The 27-year-old Polish shot-stopper is expected to undergo a medical with Pompey after receiving permission to leave NAC Breda’s pre-season training camp in Zeeland to complete the move to Fratton Park. The transfer is reportedly worth around €600,000, bringing an end to weeks of negotiations between the two clubs.
According to respected Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof, the agreement between Portsmouth and NAC Breda has been fully settled, with only administrative formalities such as visa documentation and final paperwork still needing to be completed before the deal can be officially announced.
Bielica’s absence from NAC Breda’s recent 2-1 pre-season victory over HSV Hoek further fuelled speculation surrounding his imminent departure. Instead of featuring in the match, Roy Kortsmit started in goal before Kostas Lamprou took over in the second half. Although Bielica attended the game, he was not included in the playing squad as preparations for his move to England continued.
Portsmouth’s interest in the former Gornik Zabrze goalkeeper first surfaced only a week ago. Early reports suggested the Championship club had already seen two offers turned down, with the highest bid believed to be around €500,000. NAC Breda were initially holding out for a fee closer to €800,000, but negotiations progressed after Bielica made it clear he was eager to make the switch to English football.
The two clubs eventually reached a compromise, with the agreed transfer fee understood to exceed the €400,000 Portsmouth paid Austrian club BW Linz to sign current first-choice goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid during the summer of 2024.
Strengthening the goalkeeping department has been one of Portsmouth’s priorities after conceding 64 goals during their Championship campaign last season. While Schmid remains firmly established as John Mousinho’s first-choice goalkeeper, the arrival of Bielica is expected to increase competition for the starting position and provide greater depth in the squad.
The Blues currently also have Ben Killip and Josef Bursik among their goalkeeping options. However, Bursik is recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained towards the end of last season and is not expected to return to action until September.
Elsewhere, academy graduate Toby Steward has rejoined Scottish Premiership newcomers St Johnstone on loan after recently signing a new three-year contract with Portsmouth, allowing him to continue his development with regular first-team football. Veteran goalkeeper Jordan Archer, meanwhile, departed the club following the expiration of his contract at the conclusion of last season.
Portsmouth continue their preparations for the new Championship campaign with a pre-season fixture against Bristol Rovers, where Schmid and Killip are expected to be John Mousinho’s available goalkeeping choices as the club waits for Bielica’s arrival to be officially completed.
