International boss singles out Portsmouth as a trailblazer for dipping into niche transfer market

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Portsmouth have been thinking outside the box in the transfer window this summer.

John Mousinho kept Portsmouth in the Championship following their first season back in the second tier for the first time in 12 years.

Pompey will be in for another difficult season but have been praised for taking a different approach to build upon their 16th-placed finish.

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Australia boss credits Portsmouth for giving countrymen a chance

One common area of Pompey’s transfer business has been dipping into the A-League market.

Mousinho has four Australian internationals in his squad right now: Adrian Segecic, Jacob Farrell, Thomas Waddingham and Hayden Matthews.

It’s a market that has rarely been touched by clubs in recent years but there’s value in low-cost signings and Australia’s national team coach Tony Popovic has hailed the club for taking a leap of faith.

“It’s great. We want them to be successful, all of them, because then it may transfer into other coaches that say, ‘OK, see what Portsmouth’s done, moulded these very good players, maybe some of them move on to bigger clubs – why don’t we look at that market as well?'” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“So them being successful can really shape the future a little bit of other clubs taking a chance – because you still take a chance on an A-League player, a young player, can he fit into that?”

Portsmouth striker has World Cup dream

Australia will be at the 2026 World Cup and a strong season with Portsmouth could be the key to getting on the plane.

Segecic was the latest of four-man contingent to arrive from from Down Under and hopes to catch the eye at Fratton Park.

He told Portsmouth News: “The World Cup’s definitely a target for me – but my main focus is here at Portsmouth.

“To go and play at a World Cup at my age would be a dream, especially for Australia.

“We’ve qualified, so it’s just about being able to make the squad – playing for Portsmouth and doing well here gives the chance for that to happen.

“I’m here with Portsmouth and want to play in the Championship.”