Mousinho likely plan for Segecic shared after Portsmouth transfer – Exclusive

Portsmouth have started their summer brightly by signing Australian star Adrian Segecic on a free transfer.

The 20-year-old was on fire in the Australian A-League this summer, scoring 18 goals for Sydney FC.

Segecic can play in the number 10 position and on either wing, and there is a lot of hype surrounding Portsmouth’s first signing of the summer.

However, considering his tender age and lack of experience playing in a major league, it remains unclear what John Mousinho’s immediate plans are for him.

Adrian Segecic
Credit: Imago

Mark Robertson outlines likely plan for Segecic at Portsmouth

Former Australian international Mark Robertson, who now acts as a mentor for Aussie stars who move to the UK, believes that the sky is the limit for Segecic.

In an exclusive interview with Pompey News, he suggested that the new signing could easily take a space in Portsmouth’s starting XI if he performs well in pre-season.

He said: “I don’t think you sign someone in the summer with the understanding of whether they’d be first 11 or back-up. It’s a leveller when it comes to pre-season because everyone gets put in the same boat.

If you’re willing to show the manager you’ve got what it takes, knowing John as well as I know him, there’s no reason why Segecic can’t get a starting berth come the first game of the season.”

Segecic's shooting stats in 24/24 A-League
Credit: Imago

Robertson backs more Australian players to make an impact in England

Portsmouth have gained a lot of attention for signing five Australian players since John Mousinho was appointed. It remains unusual for a European club to have so many players from this nation.

Robertson, who is the father of former Portsmouth loanee Alex, believes that this could soon change.

PlayerAge
Adrian Segecic20
Thomas Waddingham20
Hayden Matthews21
Jacob Farrell 22
Portsmouth’s young Australians

He said: “What people are starting to understand is that the market in Australia is growing. For the last 10 to 15 years, it’s been very, very sporadic in terms of talent, with one player popping up or two players popping up.

I remember working at City Football Group and I had a database of 130 Aussies playing in Europe that were worth having a look at. It’s probably going to be more than that now and it’s only going to grow, but we only hear about the ones who are getting to the levels where they’re getting exposed.

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