\u201cLuke showed, particularly in the last game of the season against Macarthur, what he can produce in the A-League.<\/p>\n
Luke Brooke-Smith has signed for English Championship club Portsmouth. Photo \/ Portsmouth FC<\/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
\u201cI wish Luke all the best at Portsmouth and have told him if he needs anything to pick up the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooke-Smith said he was excited to join the two-time FA Cup winners on a four-year deal.<\/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 Brooke-Smith said.<\/p>\n
Luke Brooke-Smith joined the Wellington Phoenix in 2024. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Dad\u2019s side of the family are English and growing up I watched a lot of the Championship, so it\u2019s going to be unreal to play in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he would have liked to stay with Greenacre and treasured their time together, while also thanking the fans for the support they showed him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put me on the professional football pathway and I\u2019m so thankful for them giving me the opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also want to thank the fans. They\u2019ve been really welcoming and have supported me since I joined the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho praised the forward\u2019s ability on the pitch.<\/p>\n
Brooke-Smith has been praised by Portsmouth coach John Mousinho for his footballing abilities. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re delighted to strengthen our squad further with the addition of Luke,\u201d Mousinho said.<\/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
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to see him continue his impressive development here at Fratton Park over the next few years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooke-Smith goes to his new club having represented the All Whites at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup and made appearances with the senior team. He also holds eight national age-group BMX championships.<\/p>\n
This move follows the All Whites\u2019 all-time top World Cup goalscorer Elijah Just moving to Swansea City for a reported \u00a36 million ($13.8m) fee.<\/p>\n
Swansea said the winger had signed a three-year contract with an option for a further 12 months and would wear the No 8 shirt.<\/p>\n
Elijah Just has moved to Swansea City from Scottish side Motherwell after an impressive World Cup campaign. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old joined fellow Kiwi Marko Stamenic at the Welsh side, who finished 11th in the Championship last season.<\/p>\n
Other All Whites have also been on the move this transfer window, including Sarpreet Singh, who joined Portuguese second-division outfit SC Farense.<\/p>\n
The World Cup\u2019s \u201cmain character\u201d, Tim Payne<\/a>, has made a move to South America, joining Paraguay\u2019s most successful team, Club Olimpia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has joined Just\u2019s former team Motherwell on loan for the 2026-27 season and could face former Auckland FC player Jesse Randall, who had already announced he had signed for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United before the World Cup.<\/p>\n Back in the A-League, 23-year-old Lachlan Bayliss left the Newcastle Jets in Australia to join Auckland FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n