Brandon Haunstrup has joined Kilmarnock on trial, which is potentially bad news for two League One clubs.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Haunstrup had been offered a new contract by Portsmouth. However, his trial at Kilmarnock now makes it seem extremely unlikely that he will return to Fratton Park.
Portsmouth Defender Brandon Haunstrup Trials at Kilmarnock
Pompey Hope Haunstrup Stays
Despite Haunstrup featuring for Kilmarnock, there will be plenty of Portsmouth fans who hope that he remains at the club. Last season, the 23-year-old left-back made 19 appearances in all competitions for Portsmouth. However, his last game for the club was in the Football League Trophy on 21st January 2020. The match ended as a 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe United.
By then, Steve Seddon replaced Haunstrup in the Portsmouth first team. Seddon had signed in January 2020 on loan from Birmingham City. Haunstrup might even have moved elsewhere during January, as Bristol Rovers were reportedly interested in signing him.
Understandably, there are suggestions that Rovers could renew their interest in Haunstrup. This seems quite feasible, as Tareiq Holmes-Dennis has recently left Bristol Rovers. Sadly, for Holmes-Dennis, his 2019/20 season was hampered by injury.
Coincidentally, Holmes-Dennis is also a former Portsmouth loanee, although he made just one appearance for the club. This was in the first match of the 2017/18 season. Unfortunately, within 39 minutes of the game starting, Holmes-Dennis suffered a season-ending knee injury. The loss of Holmes-Dennis led to Haunstrup’s promotion to the Portsmouth first-team. From then on, Haunstrup became a first-team regular.
Compensation is Required
The good news for Portsmouth is that should Haunstrup leave, then the club will receive compensation. However, they receive a lower amount should he sign for Kilmarnock than they would, if say, he joined Bristol Rovers.
When a transfer is between two English sides, the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) decides the level of compensation.
The PFCC take into account factors such as player’s playing record, interest from other clubs, the contracts on offer, previous fee, age and time with the academy.
However, when a player leaves England – if only to Scotland – then FIFA decide the level of compensation. They use a different formula to calculate compensation – one which places less emphasis on certain factors – thereby usually leading to a far lower amount.
Friendly Victory
Haunstrup – according to a report in the Daily Record – played 45 minutes in Kilmarnock’s recent friendly against Motherwell. The match ended as 3-2 win for Killie, as both sides gear up for the new Scottish Premiership season. The 2020/21 season commences on August 1st.
Kilmarnock’s goals were scored by JJ Hooper, Nicke Kabamba and Greg Kiltie. In reply, Motherwell’s Tony Watt and Mark O’Hara scored.
Hooper, who is 26-year-old striker, is another familiar name to fans of lower EFL teams. He counts Newcastle United, Northampton Town, Port Vale and Grimsby Town among his former clubs. He is currently a free agent, following his departure from Wrexham of the National League.
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