English Football League Championship side Portsmouth FC have completed the signing of 18-year-old New Zealand international forward Luke Brooke-Smith from Wellington Phoenix for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
Brooke-Smith agreed to a four-year contract at Fratton Park, becoming Pompey's sixth arrival of the summer transfer window.
The deal, announced on July 28, 2026, still awaits registration confirmation by FIFA, The FA, and the EFL.
The teenage winger holds a British passport through his English father. He came through the ranks of Cambridge FC and Hamilton Wanderers before moving to Wellington in 2024.
Brooke-Smith made 33 A-League appearances for the Phoenix, becoming the club's youngest ever player at 16 years and 199 days, as well as their youngest men's goalscorer two months later against Auckland FC.
Portsmouth beat out interest from clubs in Italy, Spain, and Major League Soccer to secure the young attacker.
He joins fellow summer arrivals Odin Bailey, Eoin Kenny, Rocco Shein, Marko Milovanovic, and Daniel Bielica on the south coast.
Versatile Winger Strengthens Pompey's Attack
Brooke-Smith is the latest player to make the switch from the A-League to Fratton Park in recent years, following Kusini Yengi, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddingham, Jacob Farrell, and Adrian Segecic.
His arrival strengthens options on the wing for head coach John Mousinho, with Josh Murphy rehabilitating from groin surgery and Keshi Anderson sidelined for three months.
Prior to his professional football career, Brooke-Smith was a former BMX national age-grade champion in New Zealand and represented his nation at the Under-20 World Cup.
He made his senior international debut during a friendly against Australia in 2025.
Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho highlighted the teenager's versatile skill set following the announcement of the deal.
"He's a quick, direct and aggressive winger, who is comfortable on both sides of the pitch and has a lot of experience of senior football for his age," said Mousinho.
Mousinho expressed strong confidence in the new arrival's long-term trajectory in England.
"I'm looking forward to see him continue his impressive development here at Fratton Park over the next few years," added Mousinho.
Mixed Emotions from Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre voiced mixed emotions regarding the departure of the young international talent.
"I'm disappointed because I want to work with the best players and Luke's one of the best prospects in New Zealand," said Greenacre.
Greenacre indicated that the New Zealand outfit had hoped to keep the attacker long-term before the English club made their approach.
"I think we could have built a team around him," said Greenacre.
The Phoenix manager pointed to recent performances as evidence of the forward's capabilities at the senior level.
"Luke showed, particularly in the last game of the season against Macarthur, what he can produce in the A-League," said Greenacre.
Greenacre acknowledged that the move aligned with the reality of player development pathways in New Zealand.
"As a result we were keen to extend his contract, but I can understand how a move to England is difficult to resist for a young player," said Greenacre.
The Phoenix boss offered his full support to the departing winger ahead of his move to the Championship.
"I wish Luke all the best at Portsmouth and have told him if he needs anything to pick up the phone," said Greenacre.
Greenacre stressed that transfers of this nature validate the operational strategy of the Wellington club.
"His move again proves our club has the leading pathway in the country for nurturing and developing young and emerging talent," said Greenacre.
He affirmed that player ambition remains a core element of the institution's culture.
"And it's part of the Phoenix Way to help our players live out their dreams of playing abroad," added Greenacre.
The English coach previously noted that the decision was ultimately evaluated at the executive level.
"I'm obviously disappointed to lose Luke.
He's an integral part in terms of us playing young players and I really wanted that opportunity to work with Luke because I think we can get him to another level," said Greenacre.
Greenacre explained how player sales support the financial sustainability of the club.
"But obviously the powers that be decide whether it's the right move for the player and the right move for the club, and we've decided it's the right way to go," said Greenacre.
He emphasized that selling top prospects allows for essential reinvestment.
"It buys into what we're doing.
We want to help produce young players and if we can make a profit from them and reinvest that into the club and to the owners, that's what we want to do.
That will always be a part of our DNA," said Greenacre.
Greenacre expressed pride in aiding the player's development trajectory.
"I'm not surprised by it and it's nice to have been able to play a small part in Luke's career in terms of getting him to where he needs to go," said Greenacre.
The former striker reiterated his admiration for the young winger's capabilities.
"I want to work with the best players, I want to work with the best Kiwi talents and he was certainly one of those.
We'll watch his progress with envy," said Greenacre.
Greenacre also addressed whether the transition to English football came too early in the teenager's development.
"Only time will tell (whether the move is too early in his career).
When you know him, his self-belief and the confidence he has as a player, remembering he is still very, very young and he hasn't looked out of place in our first team environment," said Greenacre.
He praised the maturity and physical readiness of the New Zealand international.
"He's got an old head on young shoulders and I think he's physically ready for that step up," said Greenacre.
Greenacre concluded by expressing high hopes for the forward's career trajectory in England.
"The demands there will be a little bit different to the demands here but time will tell.
I think he is read for the step and I hope he takes the opportunity with both hands and if he can get a move to the Premier League from there would be amazing," said Greenacre.
Brooke-Smith: 'A Dream Come True'
For Brooke-Smith, sealing a move to the Championship represents a major career ambition.
"If someone told me when I first signed to the Phoenix two years ago that I'd be heading to the Championship after my second season I would have bitten their hand off," said Brooke-Smith.
The attacker noted a personal connection to English football that made the transfer particularly appealing.
"My dad's side of the family are English and growing up I watched a lot of the Championship, so it's going to be unreal to play in it," said Brooke-Smith.
Brooke-Smith admitted that informing his head coach about his departure was challenging.
"If I could have stayed with Greeny, I would have loved to," said Brooke-Smith.
He reflected warmly on his working relationship with Greenacre across international and domestic setups.
"He's one of my favourite coaches.
He was my coach at the under-20 World Cup and we had a really good relationship," said Brooke-Smith.
The teenager praised Greenacre's guidance during his transition to the senior environment in Wellington.
"It was great being able to work with him week-in, week-out when he took over as interim head coach at the end of last season," said Brooke-Smith.
Brooke-Smith indicated that he plans to maintain contact with his former manager.
"I respect him so much and I'm sure we'll stay in touch as he knows the English game so well," said Brooke-Smith.
The winger expressed deep appreciation for the opportunities provided to him by Wellington Phoenix.
"The Phoenix gave me an opportunity as a 16-year-old, trusted me and played me which is something I'll forever be grateful for," said Brooke-Smith.
He recalled a lifelong connection to the club prior to joining their professional ranks.
"I've supported the Phoenix for my whole life and went down to Auckland as a kid to watch them play at Eden Park so it was incredible to be able to play for them," said Brooke-Smith.
The New Zealand international acknowledged the foundation the club provided for his European career.
"They put me on the professional football pathway and I'm so thankful for them giving me the opportunity," said Brooke-Smith.
Brooke-Smith also paid tribute to the supporters who backed him during his time in the A-League.
"I also want to thank the fans. They've been really welcoming and have supported me since I joined the club," said Brooke-Smith.
He highlighted the encouragement he received from the crowd during matches at Wellington.
"One of my favourite things about playing for the Phoenix is the crowd have always cheered for me whenever I came on to the pitch or had the ball," said Brooke-Smith.
Squad Management at Fratton Park
In the wake of the transfer, Portsmouth boss Mousinho addressed squad management as Fratton Park currently holds 32 registered first-team players.
Mousinho noted that the squad shortage during pre-season fixtures had temporarily delayed outbound transfers.
"At the moment, it's tough on exits," said Mousinho.
Mousinho explained the tactical adjustments forced by injuries during pre-season play against Wycombe Wanderers.
"We've finished the game with a centre-back playing left wing and a left-back triallist playing right wing, and really filling bits in here and there," said Mousinho.
The Portsmouth head coach emphasized the need to balance fixture fulfillment with squad reshaping.
"So, it's one of those where we want to make sure we can fulfil these fixtures.
But yeah, if there's anything that pops up for any of the boys, I think this week really is probably the week where we can start moving things," said Mousinho.
Mousinho acknowledged that squad reduction remains a priority before the transfer window closes.
"There's definitely room where we need to shift a few on and make a bit of space in the squad," said Mousinho.
He confirmed expectations regarding movement out of Fratton Park in the coming days.
"I expect and I'm hopeful that we'll have a couple of moving parts this week," said Mousinho.
Players such as Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, and Luke Le Roux have been informed they are free to seek transfers.
Portsmouth must submit a final 25-man squad to the EFL at the end of the window, though players under 21 years old do not count toward the limit.
