Ryley Towler knew he couldn't turn down the opportunity of joining Portsmouth in January despite the club not having a manager at the time.
The Bristol City academy prospect ended his time with the Robins in the New Year, having joined the Robins at Under-9 level, to seek first-team football following a successful loan spell with League Two side AFC Wimbledon.
Towler, 20, has immediately settled into life on the south coast and after coming off the bench on his debut, has become an integral figure at the back under head coach John Mousinho, starting every game and playing 90 minutes as the left-sided centre-back in a four-man defence.