Josh Murphy has signed for Championship rivals Portsmouth after being linked with Blackburn Rovers.

TEAMTalk claimed Rovers were one of several second-tier sides trying to sign the winger, who was a free agent after his contract at Oxford United had run down.

The Yellows also offered Murphy fresh terms after he scored the two goals that earned them promotion to the Championship. However, he has turned them down in favour of another newcomer, Pompey.

Murphy worked with Portsmouth boss John Mousinho previously at Oxford, where he was a player and a coach before taking the senior job at Fratton Park.

That heavily influenced his decision to swap clubs and join the South Coast side on a three-year deal.

"I'm happy and excited to be here and I'm raring to go," Murphy said.

"I have a great relationship with the manager and the project here at the club was too big to turn down. It's a good fit for me at this stage of my career and I'm excited to get going."

"Josh brings a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience for starters. He was one of the outstanding players in League One during the second half of last season, which culminated in that Wembley brace to take Oxford up," his new boss Mousinho said.

‘He’s an exciting winger, who possesses goals and assists in his arsenal. There’s also out-and-out pace on either flank. Josh can get the fans excited with the way he plays, so we’re absolutely delighted to get the deal done."

Rovers are yet to make a signing this summer and run the risk of losing Kyle McFadzean, with his contract set to expire on June 30.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported last week that a contract for the 37-year-old to remain at the club had been agreed in principle but there has been no progress since. It's understood he did not return for pre-season training on Monday, with fresh terms not yet signed.