Pompey have confirmed the signing of John Marquis from Doncaster Rovers for an undisclosed fee reported to be well over £1 million, rising to £2 million depending on add-on fees.
The 27-year-old has signed a three-year-deal with the option of a fourth and rejoins the club he was on loan to almost six years ago where he scored twice in six appearances.
Back then you could see he had potential as he often got into good goalscoring positions but his finishing was left wanting. It's safe to say that his finishing has improved since then, having scored 21 league goals for Doncaster last season, 14 the season before and 26 in League Two the season before that. He also found the net four times against Pompey when playing for Doncaster.
He's a proven goalscorer who almost guarantees Pompey 20 goals a season and this is a signing which will convince many that Kenny Jackett's side will win promotion. Marquis joins Brett Pitman, Ellis Harrison, Marcus Harness, Gareth Evans, Ronan Curtis and Ben Close in a group of attack minded players and that list is an embarrassment of riches going forward.
Marquis has worked with Jackett before at Millwall and should fit nicely into his 4-2-3-1 formation and with the service he is likely to get behind him, he should be a superb addition to a squad that looks like League One title challengers.
With news of Jamal Lowe's imminent departure to Wigan, this marquee signing will make that move much easier to stomach and one wonders if Jamal is making the right decision now Pompey have signed such a prolific talent.
Welcome back, John.