Abu Kamara has spoken of his conviction that Portsmouth is the right environment for him to fulfil his potential, following his permanent return to Fratton Park this summer.

The 23-year-old winger completed a transfer back to the south coast after a spell at Hull City, having originally helped Pompey win promotion to the Championship in 2024 during a loan stint. He made his second debut for the club on Saturday in their Championship opener against QPR, playing 65 minutes on the right wing before being substituted in a 3-1 home defeat.

A homecoming driven by the heart

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Kamara described how the move came together quickly once manager John Mousinho made his interest known. "The boss called me early on in the window just seeing where things were with me," Kamara said. "In my heart if I was leaving Hull then I already knew I was coming back to Portsmouth."

The winger, who previously spent a successful season on loan at Fratton Park before returning to Norwich City and subsequently being sold to Hull, cited familiarity and the warmth of the support as key factors. "There's just that familiarity of being comfortable here and the fans have shown endless support for me so I knew it was an environment where I could thrive," he added.

That the deal is a permanent one rather than another loan suggests both club and player are committed to a longer-term relationship. The precise financial structure of the transfer has not been disclosed publicly, though Portsmouth will be aware of Kamara's proven ability to operate at Championship level after his earlier stint demonstrated his quality across the second tier.

Positive despite opening-day defeat

Saturday's result will have been a frustrating start to life back at the club. Portsmouth took the lead through a Terry Devlin wonder-strike but were ultimately undone by two goals from Ilias Chair and a third from Koki Saito, with QPR running out 3-1 winners.

Kamara, however, refused to be downcast. "We actually had good spells in the game and we had the chances to kill it off," he said. The winger acknowledged that injuries have disrupted his recent momentum but insisted his focus is now firmly fixed on contributing to Portsmouth's Championship campaign.

"I'm only thinking positive for this season and I think we can compete with the top people," Kamara told the BBC. "It's been a lot of injuries, but now I'm just focused on Portsmouth and this season and trying to do the best I can for the team."

What Kamara brings to Mousinho's side

Kamara's arrival gives Mousinho a wide option with genuine second-tier experience and an established rapport with the Fratton Park faithful, both of which are valuable commodities as Portsmouth look to establish themselves in the Championship. The winger's directness and ability to beat defenders in wide areas offers a different dynamic on the right flank.

With the opening-day defeat meaning Pompey have work to do from the off, Kamara's attitude and his understanding of what the club demands of its players will be important. Saturday showed glimpses of what Portsmouth can produce going forward; if Kamara can stay fit and replicate the form he showed during that promotion-winning loan spell, supporters will be hopeful he can make a telling contribution across the course of the season.

Portsmouth's next Championship fixture will offer an early opportunity for Kamara and his team-mates to respond to that QPR reverse and begin building momentum in the second tier.

Frequently asked

Why has Abu Kamara returned to Portsmouth?
Kamara completed a permanent transfer back to Fratton Park this summer after spells at Norwich City and Hull City. He previously spent a loan season at Portsmouth, helping them win promotion to the Championship in 2024, and has cited the fans' support and a sense of familiarity as key reasons for his return.
Is Abu Kamara's move to Portsmouth a loan or permanent deal?
According to reports, the move is a permanent transfer, not a loan. Kamara joined Portsmouth on a full transfer after leaving Hull City during the summer window.
How did Abu Kamara perform on his Portsmouth return against QPR?
Kamara played 65 minutes on the right wing in Portsmouth's 3-1 home defeat to QPR on the opening day of the Championship season. Despite the result, he remained upbeat and said he believed Portsmouth could compete at the top end of the division.