Smith signs for Portsmouth from the Wellington Phoenix

“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.”

Brooke-Smith said he was excited to join the two-time FA Cup winners on a four-year deal.

“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.”

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.

“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.”

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho praised the forward’s ability on the pitch.

“We’re delighted to strengthen our squad further with the addition of Luke,” Mousinho said.

“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.

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

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.

This move follows the All Whites’ all-time top World Cup goalscorer Elijah Just moving to Swansea City for a reported £6 million ($13.8m) fee.

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.

The 26-year-old joined fellow Kiwi Marko Stamenic at the Welsh side, who finished 11th in the Championship last season.

Other All Whites have also been on the move this transfer window, including Sarpreet Singh, who joined Portuguese second-division outfit SC Farense.

The World Cup’s “main character”, Tim Payne, has made a move to South America, joining Paraguay’s most successful team, Club Olimpia.

Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has joined Just’s 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.

Back in the A-League, 23-year-old Lachlan Bayliss left the Newcastle Jets in Australia to join Auckland FC.

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