Abu Kamara has ruled out a return to Portsmouth after recent speculation suggesting that the club is pushing to sign the 22-year-old. A source close to the player informed The Lower Tiers of this news earlier today.
The England youth international spent the entirety of the 2023/24 season on loan at Pompey and quickly became a fan-favourite. Eight goals and 10 assists from Kamara more than helped towards Portsmouth’s League One title winning season. Each Pompey player from that season instantly became a club legend. Abu Kamara is certainly one of them. The fans want him back.
However, these fans will be disappointed as Abu Kamara has now ruled out a return to Portsmouth. In July, The Lower Tiers reported that Abu Kamara was considering his future at current club Hull City amid the financial issues that unfolded this summer which ultimately placed the club under a transfer embargo.
The club was hit with an 18-month transfer embargo – stemming from an unpaid £1 million fee to Aston Villa. This limits Hull City signings to free agents or loans until 2027.
The Tigers have since been smart in the transfer window, however. The experienced John Lundstram and Oli McBurnie have joined the club on free transfers since the embargo alongside prospect Joe Gelhardt, who impressed on loan last season with five goals in 20 Championship appearances. These smart acquisitions have been followed up the loan signing of exciting Manchester City prospect Joel Ndala who will no doubt make an impact this season.
These positive maneuvers since the transfer embargo was given may tempt Abu Kamara and others to stay at the club. It’s clear that their squad is stacked with Championship quality players and this transfer embargo seems to just be a blip in the road, for now.
Abu Kamara’s career so far
After coming through the youth ranks at Norwich City, Abu Kamara was desperate for regular Championship first team football. The Canaries couldn’t provide that for the forward so incame Hull City for his services.
Kamara’s journey to East Yorkshire began in the summer of 2024, fresh from a standout loan spell at Portsmouth. The winger, then on Norwich City’s books, played a central role in Pompey’s League One title triumph, making 46 appearances, scoring eight goals, and tormenting defences with his pace and direct running.
His performances on the South Coast convinced Hull to secure his services permanently for an undisclosed fee. In his first season at the MKM Stadium, Kamara made 36 league outings and netted five goals, quickly establishing himself as a key attacking outlet. Operating mainly on the right, he became known for his ability to beat opponents, deliver with both feet, and stretch opposition backlines — qualities that marked him out as one of the Tigers’ most dangerous threats during the 2024/25 campaign.
The winger’s rise was also recognised on the international stage. In June 2024, he made his debut for England’s Under-20s, earning two caps in fixtures against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
What’s next for Abu Kamara
Hull City finished in a disappointing 21st place in the Championship, last season. That could’ve been enough for key players, such as Abu Kamara, to look at other options further up the league table.
This was all before their financial issues this summer, discussed earlier. With the direction of the club up for debate, it set off alarm bells for players like Abu Kamara.
It remains to be seen whether Kamara still wants a move away from the Tigers and this could be a saga that could ramble on until deadline day.
One things for certain, though, his next permanent club won’t be Portsmouth.
