What happened: Portsmouth defender Zak Swanson has signed a new two-year contract at the Championship club, extending a stay that began in 2022. The 25-year-old, whose previous deal expired this summer, joined from Arsenal and has made 111 appearances for the club, scoring six goals. He has been sidelined since March.

Why it matters: The deal locks in continuity at the back for a side that has fought to retain its Championship status with 16th and 18th-place finishes. Swanson broke through last season as a makeshift left-back covering for an injured teammate, with manager John Mousinho suggesting it may now be his strongest position. Securing him keeps a homegrown-into-the-EFL option in the squad as Portsmouth shape next season.

What to watch: Watch whether Swanson can convert his end-of-season form into a regular starting role, particularly if defensive departures open a spot in the first eleven.