Fulham starlet makes interesting transfer after acrimonious Bristol Rovers exit

Former Bristol Rovers loanee Sylvester Jasper is to leave Fulham at the end of the season after agreeing to terms with a club abroad.

The 21-year-old was due to be at the Gas on a season-long loan but after just eight appearances it was cut short. He joined on Deadline Day in September, but just over a month later he was sent back to the Cottagers because he was unhappy over a lack of first-team minutes.

“He wasn’t happy with the minutes he was getting and he’s gone back to Fulham,” Barton said back in October. He’s obviously got disappointed and if you’re not happy… crack on. We’ve got Scott Sinclair, we just keep moving forward. We’ve made the decision.

“We’re moving really fast here and if you want to be part of this, then you’ve got to buy into it absolutely. If not then you can crack on and there are 91 other professional clubs you can go and play for. “We have an ethos and principles here and if those aren’t respected then we don’t want you in our football club.”

Jasper, who has since made three appearances for Fulham’s Under-21’s in the Premier League 2 after returning has agreed on a three-year deal with Portuguese outfit Portimonense. He will remain at Craven Cottage for the remainder of the campaign but once the season is done he can link up with his new club.

Portimonense are currently 14th in the Portuguese top-flight and are currently seven points above the drop zone. Portugal has been a country that British-born players have used as a platform such as Angel Gomes, Eric Dier, and Marcus Edwards.

A statement from Fulham read: “The Club can confirm that Sylvester Jasper has signed a pre-contract agreement with Portimonense.

“With the two clubs agreeing suitable training compensation, the young winger will join the Portuguese side permanently on 1st July 2023. We wish you all the very best moving forward, Syl.”

Jasper’s contract with Fulham was up and the West London club have decided not to renew it. He was able to explore options from January onwards with his contract up. His departure will bring to an end an 11-year association with the club after joining them from QPR in 2021.

He had played for various Fulham teams at youth level and had loans at Colchester United, and Hibernian before he landed at Rovers. Jasper was limited to just three appearances for the first team which all came in the 2019/20 campaign.