Portsmouth keeper Duncan Turnbull seals loan move to Las Vegas Lights

The 22-year-old has moved to the United Soccer League Championship side until the end of the Blues’ season as he goes in search of regular first-team football.

He is one of nine new arrivals announced by the Cashman Field side as they prepare for their 2021 campaign in the Pacific Division of the USA’s second tier.

University of Notre Dame graduate Turnbull joined the Blues last season following a successful trial, signing a one-and-a-half year deal at Fratton Park and with the club having the option of an additional 12 months.

It’s not quite clear whether Pompey will take up that option, though, with Kenny Jackett – the Blues boss who brought him to this side of the Atlantic – replaced by Danny Cowley last month.

It’s fair to say that Turnbull experienced a frustrating spell in England following his move last March – a stint not helped, of course, by coronavirus.

He was unable to secure a loan switch to the Hawks at the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign after trialling with the Westleigh Park outfit.

Meanwhile, a loan move to fellow non-league side Dulwich Hamlet failed to provide the game time the keeper desperately needed.

Turnbull did make one appearance for Pompey following his return to the club from Champion Hill.

That came in the Blues’ 5-1 Papa John’s Trophy defeat at the hands of Peterborough in January.

Yet he only played 60 minutes, with Jackett opting to field fellow youngster Taylor Seymour for the last half hour as he searched for suitable back-up to Craig MacGillivray following an injury to Alex Bass.

Neither keeper, though, was deemed suitable – leading Pompey to sign Exeter stopper Lewis Ward on loan until the end of the season.

Ward has since served regularly as McGillivray’s back-up, allowing the Blues to send out Illinois-born Turnbull on loan once again – this time in the States.

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