JOSH Murphy has turned down the chance to stay at Oxford United in favour of a move to Portsmouth.

United’s Wembley hero scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet League One play-off final last month, but his contract is set to expire.

This newspaper understands the U’s offered Murphy a fresh deal within 24 hours after the play-off final triumph, before further negotiations and subsequent offers were made.

It’s understood that United’s final offer would’ve made Murphy the highest paid player in the club’s history.

However, the 29-year-old has opted to join a Pompey side, managed by former U’s skipper John Mousinho, which also won promotion to the Championship after clinching the League One title.

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Murphy has agreed a three-year deal at Fratton Park, with a club option for an additional 12 months.

Mousinho told the Portsmouth club website: “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.

“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.”

Murphy joined United in July 2022, after his contract at Cardiff City expired.

He was signed by former U’s head coach Karl Robinson, but a combination of form and fitness problems limited his impact upon his arrival, and he finished his debut season with no goals from 24 games in all competitions.

Last summer, he was told to find a new club and was sparingly used by Robinson’s successor, Liam Manning.

The arrival of Des Buckingham handed Murphy a fresh start though, and from February onwards, he scored eight goals in 19 matches. Those strikes include his match-winning brace against Bolton in the play-off final.

In total, the winger scored 10 goals for United, across 62 appearances in all competitions.