Nix agree Luke Brooke-Smith transfer to Portsmouth FC
Wellington Phoenix have accepted an undisclosed fee from Portsmouth FC for Luke Brooke-Smith, with the New Zealand forward finalising a move to the English Championship. The teenager, who joined the Nix as a 16-year-old in 2024, becomes the latest A-League prospect to head for Fratton Park.
Key Takeaways
- Wellington Phoenix accepted an undisclosed transfer fee from Portsmouth for Luke Brooke-Smith.
- The forward made 33 A-League appearances across two seasons after joining in 2024.
- He is the Nix’s youngest-ever player and became the men’s youngest goalscorer shortly after debuting.
- Coach Chris Greenacre said the club wanted to extend his deal but understood the England pull.
- Brooke-Smith called the Championship switch a “dream come true,” citing his English family roots.
What did Wellington Phoenix confirm about the deal?
According to the club, Luke Brooke-Smith has finalised a move to the EFL Championship after the Phoenix accepted an undisclosed fee from Portsmouth, the two-time FA Cup winners. The announcement settles weeks of transfer speculation around the highly rated teenager.
Greenacre said he was disappointed to lose “one of the best prospects in New Zealand,” noting the club had been keen to extend his contract. He framed the exit as part of the “Phoenix Way” of developing players who then chase careers abroad. Full details are in the Wellington Phoenix statement.
Why does Luke Brooke-Smith’s Portsmouth move matter?
Brooke-Smith arrived at the Phoenix as a 16-year-old in 2024 and quickly rewrote club age records. He debuted at 16 years and 199 days—the youngest player in club history—and became the men’s youngest goalscorer two months later against Auckland FC.
Over two seasons he logged 33 A-League appearances, enough to draw interest beyond New Zealand. Portsmouth News reported rival interest from the United States, Italy and Spain before the Championship club closed in. For more sports and emerging-talent coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
How ready is he for Championship football?
Greenacre told Stuff the switch was “close to happening” and later backed the 18-year-old’s readiness, saying Brooke-Smith has “an old head on young shoulders” and looks physically prepared for the step up. The coach hopes a strong Portsmouth spell could eventually open a Premier League path.
Brooke-Smith said he would have “bitten their hand off” for a Championship move after only two Phoenix seasons. With English family ties and years watching the division, he described signing as a dream, while praising Greenacre—his Under-20 World Cup coach—and thanking Phoenix fans who backed him from day one.
Wellington still list 16 men’s players under contract for the 2026-27 Isuzu UTE A-League season, with further squad news expected in the coming weeks.