Football: Andy Cannon completes Portsmouth move

Andy Cannon

Rochdale AFC player Andy Cannon has today completed a move to Portsmouth FC.
 
The 22-year-old, who was due to be out of contract at Dale this summer, has joined the Fratton Park club for an undisclosed fee. 
 
Cannon, a Rochdale Academy graduate, made his professional debut in September 2014, and has gone on to make nearly 130 appearances for Dale since then.
 
In a statement, a  spokesperson for Rochdale Football Club said: "We would like to place on record our thanks to Andy for his contribution to the Dale cause over the years and wish him the very best of luck for the future."
 
Manager Keith Hill had the following to say about Cannon’s departure: “It’s football and the language we speak, and it’s the business that we do at this football club.

“Andy has found it difficult for most of this season to be available for selection due to one or two niggling injuries and he hasn’t spent an awful lot of time on the training pitch but we always knew there was an interest from Portsmouth.

"When we played them in the league and in the FA Cup, I got a phone call straight after the game from Kenny Jackett to see if we were willing to do business. I said yes, as long as Portsmouth met the club’s valuation on Andy. It’s the business that the football club does to make sure that its future is secure.  

“Andy has done brilliantly for us. I remember his debut away at Leyton Orient like it was yesterday - the celebrations after that game were amazing. He burst onto the scene with no fear, and for the remainder of that season when Andy played as an assertive attacking right-back, I thought there were some exceptional performances. It’s a great opportunity for him to go to Portsmouth, and that’s what I want as a manager.  
 
“If I lead young players into the football league, I want them to be ambitious and I want them to play at the top of the tree, with respect to their own capabilities. Andy has an unbelievable opportunity to go and work for Kenny Jackett and for a massive club in Portsmouth so I hope he takes it. I wish him all the best.”