What Christian Saydee said about leaving Portsmouth FC - this shows what Pompey meant to him | OneFootball

Striker Christian Saydee's two-year spell at Portsmouth has come to an end after he completed a move to Wigan Athletic.

Striker Christian Saydee has sent an emotional farewell message to Portsmouth supporters after leaving the club to join Wigan Athletic.

Saydee made the move to Portsmouth from Bournemouth in the summer of 2023, and he helped John Mousinho's side to the League One title during his first season at the club.

The 23-year-old scored three goals in 31 games as Pompey finished 16th in the Championship last season, but only 12 of those appearances came from the start, and his minutes became increasingly limited over the course of the campaign.

It was claimed earlier this week that League One duo Wigan Athletic and Plymouth Argyle were battling it out for Saydee, but it is the Latics who have won the race for his signature, and he signed a three-year contract at the Brick Community Stadium on Thursday.

The switch to Lancashire brings Saydee's two-year spell at Portsmouth to an end, and after his exit was confirmed, manager Mousinho claimed that he was a "popular member of our squad" who made some "important contributions" during his time at Fratton Park.

However, while Mousinho admitted that Saydee would be "missed by staff, players and supporters alike", he insisted he could not "stand in the way" of an opportunity for the striker to receive more regular game time at Wigan.

Christian Saydee issues emotional Portsmouth message after Wigan Athletic switch

Although he was not a prolific scorer, Saydee was a popular figure at Fratton Park, and after completing his move to Wigan, he penned a heartfelt farewell message to Portsmouth, thanking his team-mates, staff and supporters for the backing he has been given over the past two years.

"Dear my Fratton Park family, thank you for everything," Saydee said in a message posted on the club's official X account.

"I have loved every minute of my time at the club and we have created some special memories together.

"You guys will always be in my heart.

"To all my team-mates and staff, thank you for making this journey so much easier for me and for guiding me to become a better player and a better person.

"To all the fans, thank you for everything, you always stuck with me and encouraged me when things weren't going right.

"It's time to say goodbye, but I leave with nothing but love and gratitude to you all and wish you all the very best in the future. PUP (Play Up Pompey)."

Saydee will always be remembered fondly at Fratton Park for his role in Portsmouth's League One title-winning campaign in the 2023-24 season, and while he failed to find the back of the net regularly in the Championship last term, he did still contribute with some important goals.

The striker's double against Middlesbrough in August earned Pompey an impressive point at the Riverside Stadium, which helped to prove that Mousinho's men were capable of competing in the second tier, and he signed off on the South Coast with an equaliser in the final day draw against Hull City.

However, given his lack of game time in the second half of last season, it is the right time for Saydee to depart Portsmouth, and having been handed the number nine shirt by Wigan, it looks like he could have a big part to play for his new club.