Portsmouth set to fend off worldwide interest and land winger transfer coup | OneFootball

Another player form down under is reportedly on his way to Fratton Park.

Portsmouth are set to sign Australian winger Adrian Segecic, marking their first addition of the summer window.

The 21-year-old was on the watchlists of a number of clubs heading into the transfer window - Pompey's being one of them.

They have taken an active step into the Oceanic market in recent times, acquiring a number of players from down under in the past two windows alone.

Hayden Matthews and Thomas Waddingham, both 20, were signed in January from Aussie sides Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar, respectively. 22-year-old left-back Jacob Farrell was signed last summer from Central Coast Mariners.

Adrian Segecic chooses Portsmouth as his next club despite worldwide interest

Portsmouth are set to add another compatriot of theirs to their ranks, according to The News, with Segecic set to pick Fratton Park as his next destination.

It was reported on Monday by the same outlet that the attacking midfielder/winger, who played with Matthews in New South Wales, was going to make a decision on his future soon. He is out of contract with Sydney FC this summer and is now said to be preparing for a move to England.

Segecic was wanted by teams from across the world, including from sides in the Premier League, as per The News, which comes as no surprise given the immediate availability of the A-League's joint-top scorer. The 21-year-old netted 13 goals in 24 appearances for Sydney in the 2024/25 campaign.

He is set to sign a long-term deal with John Mousinho's side and is set to become their first addition of the summer window. Portsmouth will have to pay some training compensation to Segecic's former side because of his age.

Even with the slim amount of compensation required to complete this move, Pompey will be very happy to get this one over the line.

His numbers certainly suggest that this could be an absolute coup for a player that has plenty of years ahead of him in his career, and the long-term deal that he is set to agree will give Portsmouth plenty of protection against any clubs that fancy taking Segecic from them in the future.

It also shows that the conscious investment in scouting down under was worth it.

The number of fellow Aussies that are in John Mousinho's side must have played a role in the attacking midfielder's decision to turn down offers from elsewhere in favour of moving to Fratton Park.

Because of their efforts to build up this Australian base, they are now set to secure the services of a player that was wanted by teams in higher ranking divisions than them. It could certainly prove to be quite the coup down the road.