Pompey is set to sign an international player for £400,000 after agreeing to a three-year deal.

Portsmouth Closing In on Another Summer Signing as Transfer Activity Continues

Portsmouth appear to be edging closer to securing another addition during an increasingly busy summer transfer window, with fresh reports suggesting the club are on the verge of completing a deal for another promising young talent.

Having already strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Odin Bailey and Eoin Kenny, Pompey are continuing to move aggressively in the market as preparations for the new campaign gather momentum.

Although many supporters have been eagerly awaiting official confirmation regarding the proposed signings of Marko Milovanovic and Rocco Shein, it seems another player has moved ahead of them in the queue to become Portsmouth’s next arrival.

Third Summer Signing Reportedly Near Completion

According to reports, Portsmouth are now putting the final details in place for what would become their third signing of the current transfer window.

While negotiations involving Milovanovic and Shein remain active and are still progressing positively, the latest transfer developments indicate another deal is much closer to completion.

Supporters expecting one of those two names to be officially unveiled next may instead find themselves welcoming an entirely different player to Fratton Park.

The club’s recruitment team has continued working on several targets simultaneously, allowing multiple negotiations to progress at the same time as Portsmouth look to strengthen key areas of the squad.

Luke Brooke-Smith Set for Fratton Park Move

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Portsmouth are close to completing the signing of New Zealand international Luke Brooke-Smith.

The report claims that an agreement has already been reached between Portsmouth and Australian club Wellington Phoenix regarding the transfer fee.

The deal is believed to be worth approximately £400,000, while Brooke-Smith has reportedly agreed personal terms on a contract that will keep him at Fratton Park for the next three years.

Although official confirmation has yet to arrive, the negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, suggesting the transfer could soon be announced.

Should everything proceed as expected, Brooke-Smith will become another exciting addition to Portsmouth’s growing list of young attacking talents.

Continued Success Recruiting from the A-League

If the reported transfer is completed, Brooke-Smith will become the latest player Portsmouth have recruited from Australia’s A-League.

In fact, this would represent the sixth transfer completed by the Blues involving an A-League club since 2023, highlighting a recruitment strategy that has increasingly focused on identifying talent from Australia and New Zealand.

Portsmouth’s scouting department has clearly developed strong relationships within the region, repeatedly identifying players they believe can successfully adapt to English football.

That continued investment demonstrates the club’s growing confidence in the quality available across the A-League competition.

Brooke-Smith Joins an Expanding List of Arrivals

Over the past few seasons, Portsmouth have completed several notable signings from clubs competing in Australia’s top division.

The recruitment drive began with the arrival of striker Kusini Yengi from Western Sydney Wanderers before the club added defender Jacob Farrell from Central Coast Mariners.

Hayden Matthews later joined from Sydney FC, while Thomas Waddingham made the move from Brisbane Roar.

More recently, attacking player Adrian Segecic also arrived after leaving Sydney FC.

Should Brooke-Smith complete his move from Wellington Phoenix, he will become the latest member of that growing group of players making the transition from the A-League to Fratton Park.

A Versatile Addition to Pompey’s Attack

Brooke-Smith is primarily recognised as an attacking midfielder, but one of his biggest strengths is his tactical versatility.

In addition to operating centrally behind the striker, he is also capable of playing in wide attacking positions whenever required.

That flexibility is expected to make him an attractive option for Portsmouth’s coaching staff, providing additional depth across several attacking roles.

Modern football increasingly demands adaptable players capable of performing in multiple positions, and Brooke-Smith appears to possess exactly that quality.

His ability to operate in different areas of the final third could prove particularly valuable over the course of a long and demanding season.

Filling the Gap Left by Conor Chaplin

The potential arrival of Brooke-Smith could also help address a vacancy that emerged following Conor Chaplin’s departure.

Chaplin spent last season on loan from Ipswich Town, impressing supporters during his spell at Fratton Park.

However, Portsmouth ultimately decided not to pursue a permanent transfer for the experienced attacker once his loan agreement came to an end.

As a result, strengthening the number 10 position became one of the club’s priorities heading into the transfer window.

Brooke-Smith’s arrival would provide another creative option capable of linking midfield with attack while also offering competition for places across the forward line.

Encouraging Early Progress in Professional Football

Although still only 18 years old, Brooke-Smith has already accumulated valuable first-team experience.

During the previous A-League campaign, he made 19 appearances for Wellington Phoenix as the club finished eighth in the league standings.

While his statistical return included two assists, his performances also demonstrated maturity beyond his years and highlighted the technical qualities that have attracted interest from overseas clubs.

Across his senior career with Wellington Phoenix, Brooke-Smith has featured in 34 matches.

During those appearances he has contributed two goals along with two assists while continuing to establish himself as one of New Zealand’s promising young attacking players.

His development at such a young age has clearly convinced Portsmouth that he possesses the potential to progress even further in English football.

Pompey’s Summer Recruitment Continues

Portsmouth have already completed two signings during the current transfer window.

Midfielder Odin Bailey became one of the club’s earliest arrivals as Pompey looked to strengthen the centre of the pitch ahead of the new season.

The club also secured the signing of Northern Ireland Under-21 international winger Eoin Kenny, adding another young attacking player with considerable potential.

If Brooke-Smith’s transfer is finalised, he will become the third confirmed addition of the summer and further demonstrate Portsmouth’s determination to refresh their squad with youthful talent capable of making an impact both immediately and in the future.

With negotiations involving Marko Milovanovic and Rocco Shein also continuing, Portsmouth’s transfer business shows little sign of slowing down.

Supporters may have expected one of those two long-discussed deals to be completed next, but the emergence of Luke Brooke-Smith as the club’s latest imminent signing underlines just how active Pompey’s recruitment team remains as preparations continue for another important campaign.