Kiwi winger Luke Brooke-Smith has left the Wellington Phoenix for the English Championship, signing for Portsmouth FC for an undisclosed fee. <\/p>\n
The 18-year-old, who has one cap for the All Whites, will move to the club in England’s south on a four-year deal. The Championship is English football’s second tier, a step below the Premier League. <\/p>\n
Brooke-Smith called the move a “dream come true”. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone told me when I first signed to the Phoenix two years ago that I\u2019d be heading to the Championship after my second season, I would have bitten their hand off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said: \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to strengthen our squad further with the addition of Luke.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s 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.” <\/p>\n
Brook-Smith made 33 A-League appearances for the Phoenix, joining the club as a 16-year-old. He scored one goal and assisted two across two seasons. <\/p>\n
Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre said he was “disappointed” at losing Brook-Smith but “understood” the reason behind it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed because I want to work with the best players and Luke\u2019s one of the best prospects in New Zealand,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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.” <\/p>\n