#Pompey hopeful of completing the Shaun Williams on a free and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on loan from Man City. pic.twitter.com/o3ZMG4nMRk

— Blues News (@BluesNews_) June 25, 2021

It is understood that there were a few clubs looking for the goalkeeper, but he is now happy to be playing for Portsmouth.

This will be Bazunu’s second time in League One after a busy season last year with relegated Rochdale. The 19-year-old made 32 appearances and kept five clean sheets for the struggling team.

The best part of the young man’s year was his four starts for the Irish national team under Stephen Kenny. He played in one World Cup qualifier match against Luxembourg and three other friendlies over the summer.

Kenny high rates the shot-stopper and this loan move will only give him more experience between the sticks.

Although he is yet to make a start, Manchester City also highly rate the Irishman after handing him a long-term contract at the club to keep him till 2024.

A big night for Gavin Bazunu

July 6, 2018: That penalty save for @ShamrockRovers against @CorkCityFC at the age of 16

March 27, 2021: International debut for Ireland against Luxembourg at the age of 19

Incredible rise! #WEAREONE | #COYBIG | #IRLLUX pic.twitter.com/CNkSmYDAWp

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 27, 2021

How will Portsmouth help Bazunu?

Portsmouth will be a small step up from playing in Rochdale with the Fratton Park team planning to compete for the third division title.

The formerly great Portsmouth missed out of a playoff place for promotion after a slip-up at the end of the season.

Three of Portsmouth’s goalkeepers left the club this season leaving the first-place spot open for Bazunu. He will now join fellow Irishman Ronan Curtis who netted 10 goals last season.

The Pompey manager has said that he wants his goalkeepers to be fast off their line and good with their feet. These are both two qualities that the Dubliner has performed well at while playing for Ireland.

This is an important move for Bazunu who needs first-team football to help him hold his position for Ireland over Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and West Ham’s Darren Randolph.

19 – Republic of Ireland's Gavin Bazunu is the first teenage goalkeeper to start a European World Cup qualifying match since Slovenia's Jan Oblak in September 2012. Faith. pic.twitter.com/Ytd3TVJGAD

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 27, 2021

The post Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu joins Portsmouth on loan appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Many Ireland fans may not be familiar with the name Marcus Harness. That could change in the coming months as the 24-year-old looks set to establish himself as a valuable member of the Irish camp.

Despite not making the matchday squad, Harness watched from the sidelines as his compatriots played out a scoreless draw against Bulgaria on Wednesday. Circumstances prior to the match prevented him from making the squad, but there’s a possibility that he may be involved in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

A dream come true and easily the proudest moment of my life to get called up for @faireland Disappointed that I missed out on being in the squad last night due to the circumstances but what an incredible experience! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/2kXdB45oyv

— Marcus Harness (@MarcusHarness) NOVEMBER 19, 2020

He declared his intention to play for the Republic in July of 2019, but this international break marked his first involvement in the squad, likely due to paperwork. His declaration came shortly after joining Portsmouth.

He joined Portsmouth from Burton Albion, the club where he honed his craft as he came through their youth academy before transitioning into the first team. It wasn’t a straightforward passage through by any means, though. After initially breaking into the first team in 2014, he gradually faded out of the manager’s plans which led to a succession of loans in various divisions.

It was the 2017-18 season when Harness truly established himself as a first team regular while on loan at League Two side Port Vale. He played in 35 league games as Port Vale narrowly avoided the drop by finishing 20^th.

He clearly impressed the Burton Albion manager – at the time – Nigel Clough as he became a valuable squad member for his parent club during the 2018-19 season. That season he made 32 league appearances and added goals to his game as he scored 5 times.

On July 18^th, 2019, Harness linked up with fellow Irish international Ronan Curtis as he swapped the yellow of Burton for the blue of Portsmouth. He made an impact during his first season as he made 27 league appearances and chipped in with 11 goal contributions.

While he impressed during the 2019-20 campaign, he has really stepped up a level this season. The winger has put in some scintillating displays for Pompey as they sit 6^th in the League One table. So far, he has scored 5 and assisted 4 in just 11 league appearances.

Three reasons for @Pompey fans to be happy this Monday

1⃣ – @MarcusHarness
2⃣ – @MarcusHarness
3⃣ – @MarcusHarness

Hat-tricks don’t get much better than this! #Pompey pic.twitter.com/i9XBA2lQua

— Super 6 (@Super6) OCTOBER 5, 2020

With Ireland seriously lacking attacking options at the minute, his inclusion in the senior set up is a welcome one. The versatility of Harness is also an added bonus as he can play on either wing or as a number 10.

Stephen Kenny may be left with no choice but to include Harness in his forthcoming World Cup qualifying squad, especially if he maintains his spectacular form. Ireland fans will be hoping he can contribute as Stephen Kenny tries to gather that elusive first international win.

The post Marcus Harness: Who is Ireland’s latest recruit? appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.