£1.8m Portsmouth signing will always be a cult hero - despite being a real Fratton Park flop | OneFootball

Pompey’s record signing in 2001 flopped on the pitch but won the fans over with his attitude.

When Portsmouth shattered their transfer record to sign Japanese international goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi in 2001, the move was met with both excitement and intrigue.

Then-director of football Harry Redknapp described his £1.8m man as a "David Beckham figure" in Japan, while chairman Milan Mandaric spoke about adding an "international dimension" to the club.

Yet, despite the fanfare surrounding his arrival, the goalkeeper’s time on the South Coast would be defined more by endearment than excellence.

Yoshi Kawaguchi was a fan favorite despite on-field struggles

From his very first outing, it became clear that the physical demands of the English First Division would be a challenge.

Kawaguchi conceded within a minute on his debut, and things scarcely improved. Teams found joy in testing his aerial ability, and in just 12 appearances, he shipped 21 goals.

His struggles with commanding his area, dealing with crosses, and the overall robustness of English football made him a liability between the sticks.

Manager Graham Rix soon lost patience, dropping Kawaguchi in favor of the vastly experienced Dave Beasant.

The veteran’s recall signaled the beginning of the end for Kawaguchi at Pompey. He spent the majority of the next season playing reserve football, with no realistic route back to the starting XI. In 2003, after two largely forgettable years, he departed for Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, bringing an anticlimactic close to his Portsmouth adventure.

What made Kawaguchi unique, however, was that his failure to adapt did little to diminish his standing among the Fratton Park faithful.

While his goalkeeping performances may not have inspired confidence, his attitude and unwavering professionalism struck a chord with supporters. He took wholeheartedly to life in England - even praising public transport and the postal service - a small but endearing detail that helped win over the supporters.

The Japanese media remained captivated by his stint abroad, and Kawaguchi himself never once bemoaned his situation.

Even after losing his place in the team, he remained dedicated in training, never airing grievances or seeking an escape route.

This perseverance culminated in an unexpectedly poignant moment during Portsmouth’s final game of the 2002-03 season. With promotion to the Premier League already secured, Kawaguchi was given a farewell cameo, coming on at halftime in a 5-0 victory over Bradford City.

As he took to the field, he was met with a standing ovation - an extraordinary gesture for a player whose on-field performances had been so underwhelming.

A legacy beyond the pitch for Portsmouth

Kawaguchi’s time at Portsmouth may not have been a success in conventional terms, but few players have left such a lasting impression despite their struggles.

Upon leaving Europe, he returned to Japan, joining Jubilo Iwata, where he would enjoy a lengthy career and even earn a spot in Japan’s 2010 World Cup squad at the age of 34.

While his stint in England will never be remembered for heroic goalkeeping displays, it remains a testament to the power of personality and perseverance in football.

Portsmouth’s history is filled with cult heroes - players who, for one reason or another, captured the imagination of the fans despite not necessarily always being the best on the pitch.

Kawaguchi stands firmly in that category. His was a tenure defined not by clean sheets or match-winning performances, but by his sheer determination to succeed and the goodwill he engendered along the way.