Pompey had offered the 17-year-old a new deal, but Sowah rejected the offer and signed for his hometown club, who will have to pay £165,000 "training compensation" to Pompey as the left back is under 23.
Obviously, this isn't good news, especially if the rumours about the offer being "derisory" were true. However, even if the offer was substantial, it would have been difficult for Sowah to resist signing for his hometown side, especially as Hamburg are one of the biggest clubs in Germany.
Also, there is no guarantee that Sowah will develop into a top class defender, although if he does then we'll never see the results at Fratton Park.
Sods law will see Sowah rise to become one of the world's best left backs, earning many caps for Germany (or Ghana, if he chooses to represent them instead) and winning many trophies.
And for us Pompey fans, all he will be remembered for is being "that promising youngster we were forced to let go for a poxy 165 grand..."