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Man Utd and the A-League’s next breakout star Pompey have eyes on

He’s the latest Australia star Pompey are closely ‘monitoring’ ahead of a busy summer of transfer activity, as the transfer window reopens today. And the Sydney FC talent’s making an indelible mark in the A-League, in a campaign which Adrian Segecic’s standing has soared.

Sydney FC’s glittering A-League golden boy

A-League top scorer

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecic. Pic: Gettyplaceholder image

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecic. Pic: Getty | Getty Images

Manchester United mark

Segecic’s goals and assists (stats from Wyscout)

Season Goals assists

2024-25 (Sydney) 18 3

2023-24 (Dordrecht) 5 3

2023 (Sydney/Australia under-20) 4 2

2022-23 (Sydney/Australia under-20) 8 4

2022 (Sydney II) 8 2

Transfer talk

Segecic has recently been open about the prospect of joining his countryman making a move to European football. His agent, Paddy Dominguez, is one of the biggest in Australia and represents both Jacob Farrell and Alex Robbertson, who’ve made moves to Pompey. Segecic confirmed Dominguez has been exploring options for him. He said: ‘It (a transfer) has been on my mind since the end of the season. After our last exhibition match against Manchester United in Malaysia, I hope to discuss the potential options available.’

Socceroos or Croatia

Segecic has represented Australia at age-group level, but has yet to receive a senior international cap for the Socceroos. There’s been no contact from international boss Tony Popovic since he was named Graham Arnold’s successor last year and the 20-year-old holds a Croatia passport, representing their under-17 side. Segecic admitted he’d find a senior Croatia call hard to ignore in the face of not being selected by Popovic.

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecicplaceholder image

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecic | Getty Images

He said: ‘I haven't spoken to him (Popovic), though I know he has watched some of my games. I’m not sure if there’s a tactical reason behind my exclusion,

Championship over Rapid Vienna

Austrian powerhouse Rapid Vienna are one side who’ve been trailing Segecic, with a move to Europe looking increasingly likely this summer. Rapid head coach Peter Stoger confirmed Segecic had turned a move to the Austrian Bundesliga for a more lucrative offer in the Championship. Pompey and QPR are the sides rumoured to be keen, with the Blues having space to bring in overseas players in Elite Significant Contribution slots under relaxed Home Office criteria.

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecic. Pic: Gettyplaceholder image

Pompey are monitoring Adrian Segecic. Pic: Getty | Getty Images

Holland haul

Another plus point over Segecic is he already has experience in European football, despite being at a formative stage of his professional career. He spent last season with Dordrecht in the Dutch Erste Divisie - the country’s second division, helping his temporary side finish fourth before losing to FC Emmen in the play-offs over two legs. Segecic returned five goals and an assist from 33 appearances, with 15 of those outings starts.

Segecic stats and Wyscout

The attacker’s output has certainly soared this season, as he produced 18 goals and three assists in all competitions. Segecic's goal return came from an xG of just 11.39, or 0.44 per 90 minutes. He also produced an eye-catching 3.61 shots per 90 minutes, averaging 24.73 passes with a 79.1 per cent completion rate. Segecic averaged 3.26 dribbles per 90 with a 56 per cent success rate. The Sydney man also averaged 19.49 duels per 90 (45.2 per cent successful). He registered 55.6 total actions per 90, with 45.2 per cent successful.

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