Whittingham reflects on surprise Walker exit
The 25-year-old was due back on the south coast last Friday in a bid to win a new Blues deal.
But, as revealed on The News’ website – portsmouth.co.uk – yesterday evening, Walker is now set to join an unnamed Greek club.
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Hide AdThe news has disappointed many Pompey fans, who had high regards for the creative midfielder from Gibraltar, who signed last summer after impressing during a friendly.
Whittingham, however, had not been convinced enough to offer a fresh contract to Walker, who made 28 appearances and scored two goals last season.
Instead, the Pompey boss invited the midfielder back for pre-season training in an attempt to prove his worth.
But now the player, who has family from Waterlooville, has left Fratton Park.
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Hide AdWhittingham said: ‘Liam was supposed to be here last Friday. Then I got a call from his dad saying he would like to stay back in Gibraltar for another game.
‘We told him, as he was not contracted, he could do what he wanted, so he stayed there.
‘Then we got a call a couple of days ago saying there’s a possibility of him signing somewhere else (Greece).
‘I am pleased for the lad because there was nothing confirmed here. We said he had to come back and prove one or two things to us and he has taken the option to go off and sign somewhere else.
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Hide Ad‘We know what we had with Liam and what we wanted to get. We knew his strengths and weaknesses and felt we had to get something a little bit different. It didn’t mean we were going to count him out.
‘If he had come back and proved himself then there might have been something.’