Two-year contract for title hero

Gareth Evans has signed a new two-year Pompey contract.





He scored six goals in 46 appearances to help the Blues secure the League Two title last term, despite mostly featuring in an unfamiliar right-back role.





That tally included a penalty in the 6-1 rout of Cheltenham in a memorable final day encounter on the south coast.





Evans said: “I’ve been desperate to sign a new contract since the end of the season, so I’m delighted to get this deal over the line.





“It was a great campaign for the club and, without doubt, we deserved to be champions. I certainly didn’t play against a better team.





“By any standard, it was an impressive finish. There were parts of the season when things didn’t go quite right, but we got it right at the perfect time and then never took our foot off the gas.





“I’ve told the manager that if he wants me to continue at right-back then I’m happy. As long as I’m in a Pompey shirt, I’m not bothered what position I play.”





The Blues will have to adapt to a higher level next season, but Evans believes they can thrive in the third tier.





He said: “I’ve been saying for the past two years that we are definitely better suited to League One.





“Rather than have teams coming here and be happy to park the bus, we’ll be facing sides with more ambition. They’ll want to give us a proper game of football.”





Evans joined Pompey from Fleetwood in the summer of 2015 and has scored a total of 16 goals in 93 appearances during his time at Fratton Park.



