Kiwi youngster secures big move from Phoenix to English Championship

Kiwi winger Luke Brooke-Smith has left the Wellington Phoenix for the English Championship, signing for Portsmouth FC for an undisclosed fee.

The 18-year-old, who has one cap for the All Whites, will move to the club in England's south on a four-year deal. The Championship is English football's second tier, a step below the Premier League.

Brooke-Smith called the move 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,” he said.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho said: “We’re delighted to strengthen our squad further with the addition of Luke.

“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."

Brook-Smith made 33 A-League appearances for the Phoenix, joining the club as a 16-year-old. He scored one goal and assisted two across two seasons.

Phoenix head coach Chris Greenacre said he was "disappointed" at losing Brook-Smith but "understood" the reason behind it.

“I’m disappointed because I want to work with the best players and Luke’s one of the best prospects in New Zealand,” he said.

“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."

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