Manchester United defender Di’Shon Bernard has joined Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Hull City, joins John Mousinho’s Pompey who sit 11th in the League One table.
As well as making 28 appearances for the Tigers last season, Bernard spent most of the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Salford City.
Bernard, who joined the Manchester United Academy from Chelsea at the age of 16, made his only appearance for the Red Devils first team in a 2019 Europa League match against Kazakhstan side Astana when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
Bernard unfortunately scored an own goal on his bow for the twenty-time league champions.
Di’Shon Bernard joins Portsmouth on loan
Commenting on the loan signing of Bernard, who will wear shirt number 28 during his time at Fratton Park, Blues boss Mousinho said: “Di’Shon is a fantastic young player with a great pedigree behind him.
“He also has first team experience from his previous loan spells, including in the Championship, so we know what he can do.
“It was someone we didn’t think we were going to be able to bring in, so we’re really pleased to have him here.
“He’s very quick and athletic, and likes to play on the front foot. He’s also someone who is comfortable on the ball and composed.
“Di’Shon doesn’t mind carrying it out from the back and has had that grounding at Manchester United, where the demand is to do just that.
“But he’s also got that defensive ability that you need and for a 22-year-old, is very mature. We’re excited to get him in the building.”
Having recovered from the injury which prevented him from leaving the Reds on loan during the summer transfer window, Bernard made three appearances for United’s Under-21s prior to moving to Pompey.
Bernard is the second Manchester United youngster to head on loan on transfer deadline day after Charlie McNeill joined League Two side Newport County earlier in the day.