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Luke Brooke-Smith (Portsmouth FC | England)

117 replies · 10,072 views
about 1 year ago
RR

Some finish that! 
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Endorsed by
LG
about 1 year ago
Bet that effort will put some eyes on him sadly, as want him at the Nix for the next couple of years at least.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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Endorsed by
LGWanderingSheep
about 1 year ago · edited about 1 year ago · History
As it stands, he'll be out of contract in 2 years time, and he will probably be being advised by those around him to not sign an extension at this point

Edit: ideally for the Nix he has a breakout 2025/2026, somehow makes the 2026 WC squad, and we sell him next winter for a big fee. Personally don't think this is likely though. 
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Endorsed by
LGnewzealandpowervaleoWanderingSheep
about 1 year ago
He's got a lot to learn but his ability reminds me of Old

a.haak

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Endorsed by
Banzai!...AIEEE!!!LGnewzealandpowerWanderingSheep
about 1 month ago
British media reports say Wellington Phoenix youngster Luke Brooke-Smith is set to join English Championship club Portsmouth in a transfer deal worth £400,000 (NZ$930,000).

Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph broke the story, saying Portsmouth were closing in on a deal after Brooke-Smith had agreed terms on a three-year contract.

Other media outlets have picked up the story, pointing out Brooke-Smith (18) would become the sixth Portsmouth recruit from the men’s A-League since 2023, following the signings of Kusini Yengi (Western Sydney Wanderers), Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners), Hayden Matthews (Sydney), Thomas Waddingham (Brisbane Roar) and Adrian Segecic (Sydney).

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about 1 month ago
Big move for the young man, hope he settles in well and gets to show his moves on the bigger stage
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Banzai!...AIEEE!!!Gooner 4 LifeLGMainland FC+1
about 1 month ago
Noticed that one UK report has this line in it

"The Blues have been battling with clubs in Italy, Spain and America this summer to land the highly-regarded 18-year-old attacker."

Wonder what level of clubs in Italy & Spain were interested. 
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Endorsed by
LG
about 1 month ago
the blues?

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 1 month ago
theprof wrote:
the blues?
That is what Pompey are referred to as.
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Endorsed by
LG
about 1 month ago
sorry misread that as refferring to the club he's coming form.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 1 month ago
Fingers crossed this works out well for him and that he doesn't join the list of kiwis who've failed to kick on following big transfers to Euro sides over the years.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites

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Endorsed by
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
about 1 month ago
Marto wrote:
Fingers crossed this works out well for him and that he doesn't join the list of kiwis who've failed to kick on following big transfers to Euro sides over the years.
 Agreed. I think the big difference is that he still has time to develop. There won't be the expectation for him to hit the ground running straight away, which should take some of the pressure off. If he's given time to settle, adapt and keep improving, he's got every chance to make the most of the move. 
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Endorsed by
si
about 1 month ago
This is great news for the AWs. LBS has gone young to a very good level where he will get top level coaching. Hes only 18 so he wont be underpressure to perform instantly. If he stays there and progresses he could be a vital part of our 2030 WC campaign. We lack a player with pace and percussion
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Endorsed by
Gooner 4 LifeLG
about 1 month ago
We all need some percussion!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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Mainland FC
about 1 month ago
The BMX champion stuff never got the same commentator airtime as 'Ben Old former golf prodigy'

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-fc-transfers-luke-brooke-smith-pompey-championship-wellington-phoenix-8793286

Football may be where Brooke-Smith is making waves at present, but he is also a world class BMX rider.

An eight-time national champion, Brooke-Smith finished second at the world championships in Belgium in 2019.

That’s brought injuries along the way and built the teenager’s resolve.

Brooke-Smith said: ‘I was seven when I went to my first world champs.

‘I qualified for the quarter-final, crashed out and got a concussion. Next year in Columbia, I made the final. So I was top eight in the world. I was in third, but crashed in the final.

‘Then 2019 is when I got second and then in my last world champs in 2022, this American takes me out and that’s it, my world champs done. So I think BMX made me mentally very strong.’

Brooke-Smith’s dad is Englishman Phil Brooke-Smith, who is a British BMX champion with his mother from Malawi.

His family background is beneficial when it comes to working within the confines of Home Office rules. Brooke-Smith holds a British passport which negates the need for a work permit. He also will not take up an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot for players who don’t meet the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) threshold. That leaves one of the four ESC spaces available for other players.

Likewise, contracted under-21 players don’t count towards the 25-man squad total Pompey have to work within.
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Endorsed by
ni
about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
I never realised he was that good.

It’s a bit strange he needs to make a transfer to the UK for this to be covered more extensively.

A bit too much of a blue collar sport here to get air time?

Auckland will rise once more

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about 1 month ago
AucklandPhoenix wrote:
I never realised he was that good.

It’s a bit strange he needs to make a transfer to the UK for this to be covered more extensively.

A bit too much of a blue collar sport here to get air time?

Most NZ articles about him focused on his 8 national titles rather than where he placed in overseas events.

Looks like that article 'borrows' a lot from this 2024 article.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/luke-brooke-smith-from-bmx-champion-to-football-prodigy/
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21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
Stuff confirms LBS to Pompey is a done deal.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361009205/one-club-man-alex-rufer-commits-future-wellington-phoenix

Rising star Luke Brooke-Smith has flown to England to complete a move to Portsmouth, becoming the latest A-League Men player to make the jump to English Championship club alongside Adrian Segecic, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddington and Jacob Farrell.

Following Tim Payne's move to Paraguayan giants Club Olimpia, Brooke-Smith will become the second player the Phoenix have sold for a transfer fee this off-season.

Greenacre, who also coached Brooke-Smith at the Under-20 World Cup, said he was sad to see him go but wished the player well on his next chapter.

Although he is yet to establish himself as an A-League starter, the youngster’s potential is clear.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“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.”
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21 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Stuff confirms LBS to Pompey is a done deal.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361009205/one-club-man-alex-rufer-commits-future-wellington-phoenix

Rising star Luke Brooke-Smith has flown to England to complete a move to Portsmouth, becoming the latest A-League Men player to make the jump to English Championship club alongside Adrian Segecic, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddington and Jacob Farrell.

Following Tim Payne's move to Paraguayan giants Club Olimpia, Brooke-Smith will become the second player the Phoenix have sold for a transfer fee this off-season.

Greenacre, who also coached Brooke-Smith at the Under-20 World Cup, said he was sad to see him go but wished the player well on his next chapter.

 
Although he is yet to establish himself as an A-League starter, the youngster’s potential is clear.


“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,” he said.


“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.


“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.”
I know he's young and this move could go either way at this point but so good to see another Kiwi in a top league. Here's hoping he doesnt just get loaned around the leagues. 
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21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
If by the January window he's just playing for Pompey U23s, and not really near the first team, I'd be happy for him to go out on loan for half a season to a L1/L2 team. Plenty of time, he's only 18. 

But the Championship is a big jump from the ALM, and I think we would all be (pleasantly) surprised if he was playing much, if any English 2nd tier before Xmas. Lets not forget he was really only a bit player at the Nix last season. Still heaps to work on with his decision making, and heads up play. His quick dribbling ability is his best asset at the moment, he'll need far more than that in the Championship. No rush.

If we look at say Irankunda (now 20) as a benchmark, Nestory was a far bigger star in the ALM than Pounds, yet Irankunda spent around 18 months at Bayern II and then Grasshoppers not doing too much. Then yes having a bit of breakout season just gone at Watford (played 40 games for 6 goals).
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Endorsed by
Mainland FCsiSouthernix
21 days ago
He played one or two really nice passes in his cameos at the end of last season. I’m sure the passing ability will come with coaching and practice and simple game time. 

Here he would have been a golden boy, and likely to start and get good minutes. He’ll be in a scrap to play now. 

We’ll have to wait and see how he goes, but I think looking at other young players, earning that breakthrough helps them create determination and mental toughness that usually serves them well. 


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21 days ago
Is it to much to hope they send him back on a season long loan?
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21 days ago
YellowAndBlack wrote:
Is it to much to hope they send him back on a season long loan?
An English team pick up an A-League player then loan them right back? That’d never happen…
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Endorsed by
coMainland FCmrsmiis
21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
I mean based upon his starts last year and early doors under Greenacre, I don’t think either LBS or Portsmouth would be keen on that.

Best bet is probably a loan to league two or even the national league.

He needs to get minutes into his legs and build up his endurance so he can still display his pace late in the game even after starting.

Auckland will rise once more

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Big Pete 65
21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
It amuses me that earlier this year, Adrian Segecic, after doing quite well at Pompey, decided to switch nationality to Croatia from Australia.
However, all he got was one Croatia u-21 cap and no senior call-up.
He can never play again for Australia, the land of his birth, who were more likely to call him up and give him the chance to play in major tournaments like the Asian Cup and World Cup (he received senior call-ups to the Socceroos squad in 2025 by Tony Popović, but didn't get on the field), while it seems doubtful if he will ever get a senior call-up by Croatia.
Brooke-Smith, could of course switch allegiance to England, the land of his parents, but is nowhere near good enough to come into England contention at any level.
It will be interesting to see how Brooke-Smith goes.
It will be sink or swim territory for the lad, with him likely to only get minutes for Pompey's reserve/youth side or go out on loan to a side a division or two down.
I hope that he will have a parent or English-based family member over there to support him.
If he doesn't make it at a decent level, I hope he will come back to the Phoenix, as has happened with others like McGarry and Clayton Lewis (and even a young Michael Boxall after his first brief stint in the MLS didn't work out). 

Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
Croat Australians have very strong connections to their homeland.
Was speaking to one yesterday who every 2nd year goes 'home' from Melbourne to be at a 200 person wider family gathering in Croatia.
Family members from all over the world coming together.
She has been in Aussie since age 8, and lost family members killed in the 1990s Balkans War incl her dad.

At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, there were actually three Australian-born players who represented the Croatia national team: Josip Šimunić (born in Canberra), Anthony Šerić (born in Sydney), and Joe Didulica (born in Geelong).

LBS will 'make' it in Europe somewhere. He ain't coming back to the Nix, anytime soon.
If Ben Waine signicantly less talented than Pounds can hang in there, so can young Luke.
Hopefully there is some nice Add ons negotiated by the Phoenix in his Pompey contract.

Yeah hopefully he has some family near him in the UK. But he grew up with an elite level BNX rider as a dad, and travelled the world himself going to youth world championships here and there. I read he had a bad crash one time in Colombia?? 
He'll be more worldy and mentally tough than most 18 yr olds. He will be fine.
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20 days ago
Bournemouth signed Paulsen then loaned him straight back to another A League team.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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Endorsed by
PK
20 days ago
Think two key differences between LBS & Paulsen.

One: We're not in a multiclub ownership model with Portsmouth. They're not going to make signings designed to benefit us that they can then loan out.

Two: Goalkeepers are very different to other positions if your goal is to get playing time (you only play one and they are basically never subbed). 

Couple more minor ones, but I don't think Paulsen has an English passport and Portsmouth is a Championship club, not Premier League like Bournemouth.

I also think if Portsmouth send him on loan, they'll want him getting used to a long season in cold winters with relatively short travel compared to the short season, hot summers and long distance travel of the A-League
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brcoochieemartinb
20 days ago
Bit of a strange farewell statement by the Nix

Auckland will rise once more

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Endorsed by
du
20 days ago
I hope we have a 25% sell on fee clause.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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Endorsed by
Me
20 days ago · edited 20 days ago · History
(Mis?)Reading between the lines he'll certainly be staying around Pompey for a bit, and they might even see him as going straight into their wider Championship squad??

Who knows, and plenty of time to debut in the English 2nd tier. No rush. 4 year deal and all that.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/07/28/done-deal-english-club-completes-signing-of-all-white-luke-brooke-smith/

English Championship club Portsmouth have confirmed their signing of Wellington Phoenix teenager Luke Brooke-Smith.

Though Portsmouth and the Phoenix say the transfer fee paid will not be disclosed, British media reports suggest the deal is worth about £400,000 (NZ$930,000).

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said Brooke-Smith had been recruited after fending off interest from clubs in the United States, Italy and Spain.

“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,” Mousinho told Portsmouth’s official website.

“I’m looking forward to see him continue his impressive development here at Fratton Park over the next few years.

“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.”

Brooke-Smith is believed to be the first New Zealander to play for two-time FA Cup winners Portsmouth since All White Brian Turner, who made four appearances for the club in 1969-70, between spells at Chelsea and Brentford.

Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre is sorry to see Brooke-Smith leave.

Brooke-Smith made 33 appearances for the Phoenix after joining them in August 2024, when he was 16, following his entry to senior football for Waikato clubs Cambridge and Hamilton Wanderers.

“I’m disappointed because I want to work with the best players and Luke’s one of the best prospects in New Zealand,” Greenacre said. “I think we could have built a team around him.

“Luke showed, particularly in the last game of the season against Macarthur, what he can produce in the A-League.

“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.

“I wish Luke all the best at Portsmouth and have told him if he needs anything to pick up the phone.

“His move again proves our club has the leading pathway in the country for nurturing and developing young and emerging talent.

“And it’s part of the Phoenix Way to help our players live out their dreams of playing abroad.”

Brooke-Smith says the move to Portsmouth is a “dream come true.”

“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,” Brooke-Smith said.

“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.”

Brooke-Smith says it was hard breaking the news to Greenacre, but the offer from Portsmouth was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“If I could have stayed with Greeny, I would have loved to.

“He’s one of my favourite coaches. He was my coach at the under-20 World Cup, and we had a really good relationship.

“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.

“I respect him so much, and I’m sure we’ll stay in touch as he knows the English game so well.”

He looks back on the past two seasons in Wellington with fondness.

“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.”

Brooke-Smith became the youngest Phoenix player to appear in a men’s A-League match when he made his debut aged 16 years and 199 days.

His first goal for the club, when he was 16 years and 261 days, made him the youngest-ever Phoenix men’s goalscorer.

“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.

“They put me on the professional football pathway, and I’m so thankful for them giving me the opportunity.

“I also want to thank the fans. They’ve been really welcoming and have supported me since I joined the club.

“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.”

The Wellington Phoenix still have 16 men’s players contracted for the 2026-27 Isuzu UTE A-League season and further squad announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Brooke-Smith has one cap for the All Whites and represented New Zealand at the 2025 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup.
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kwlapmartinbsi
20 days ago
AucklandPhoenix wrote:
Bit of a strange farewell statement by the Nix
We were probably pushing hard for a loan back for the season.
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Endorsed by
brBullioncoochiee
19 days ago
David Ball involved again, seems to be active in an agency lately 
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theprof
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