Crystal Palace player departs Selhurst Park to join League One side | OneFootball

Portsmouth have confirmed the signing of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Ollie Webber.

Webber, 21, has signed for Pompey on permanent transfer from the Premier League side, as per the club’s official website.

The deal has been confirmed just two days after Alex Bass was officially moved on to Bradford City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Danny Cowley has revealed his happiness at securing the deal for Webber.

“We’re delighted to bring Ollie into the group and he’s someone we were able to have a look at when he came in just before Christmas,” said Cowley, via Hampshire Live.

“He’s had a great education at Crystal Palace and as well as being a good shot-stopper, is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has excellent distribution skills.

“Alex Bass has gone out on loan to Bradford because we’ve taken a long-term view and it’s so important that he plays in the second half of this season.

“Ollie has come in and is a young keeper who wants to improve every single day. We like to recruit players who have a burning ambition to get better.”

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Webber is Portsmouth’s third signing of the window, their first to arrive on a permanent basis. Hayden Carter and Tyler Walker have also joined the club this month on loan deals.

The Northern Irish goalkeeper is expected to provide competition for Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu, who has started 24 of Pompey’s League One games this season and has played a crucial role in the side’s impressive defensive record.

Webber never featured for the Crystal Palace senior team, but has represented Northern Ireland at U21 level.

Portsmouth are currently 10th in the League One table, with 38 points from 26 games. Cowley’s side are eight points adrift of the play-off places, but have a game in hand on their promotion rivals.

Pompey are winless in their last four league games, last tasting victory on December 11 when they beat Morecambe 2-0.

Next up for Cowley’s men is the visit of Charlton Athletic to Fratton Park on January 29.

The Verdict

Replacing Bass with a young, promising 21-year old goalkeeper is a positive development for the squad.

It is unlikely that Webber will go straight into the Portsmouth lineup due to Bazunu’s exceptional form this season. The Irishman has been a key part of the side’s defensive record, so he will remain the starting no. 1 for the team.

However, Bazunu is only at the club on loan so Portsmouth needed to secure a longer term solution for the man between the sticks.

This now means that when Bass returns from Bradford he will face competition from Webber to fight for the starting position next campaign.