Exclusive:In-demand teenage talent poised to become third Portsmouth signing in 24 hours as transfer business ramps up
Pompey have already signed Marko Milovanovic and Daniel Bielica over the last 24 hours
Pompey are set to wrap up a busy end to the week on the transfer front with the capture of Luke Brooke-Smith.
The Blues have ramped up their summer business after unveiling long-standing targets Marko Milovanovic and Daniel Bielica over the last 24 hours.
And The News understands the signing of Brooke-Smith could also be completed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe, taking the number of pre-season recruits to six.
The New Zealander holds a British passport through his English father, thereby avoiding the paperwork issues involved in the signings of Rocco Shein, Milovanovic and Bielica.
However, he still requires international clearance, having played his football in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix.
Beaten off interest in Spain, Italy and America
Clubs in Italy, Spain and the MLS have been pursuing Brooke-Smith during the close season, yet the Championship has long been the highly-rated winger’s preferred destination.
The 18-year-old has totalled 34 appearances for Phoenix, helping them to finish eighth in the A-League last term, where he played in the same side as ex-Pompey keeper Josh Oluwayemi.
Yet the opportunity to play football in England, particularly at Fratton Park under John Mousinho, has seen him favour a switch to Pompey.
With international clearance required and the need to be brought up to speed in pre-season training, it remains to be seen when the Fratton faithful could get their first glimpse of the New Zealand international.
Regardless, he joins Odin Bailey, Eoin Kenny, Shein, Milovanovic and Bielica in strengthening the Blues squad this summer.
Will boost Portsmouth wing options
Capable of playing on either flank, Brooke-Smith is regarded as an attacker with athleticism and pace, who can drive forward with the ball.
Certainly he will boost Mousinho’s wing options, with Josh Murphy still rehabilitating following a groin operation and Keshi Anderson ruled out for three months after yet another injury blow.
Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh are the other options on the flanks at present, although the latter has yet to feature in pre-season friendlies this summer following an injury-wrecked first Fratton Park season.
Academy second-year scholar Brandon Downey has stepped up to feature on the left wing in pre-season, with one goal and one assist, including the equaliser against Bristol Rovers last weekend.