'That has played a part': Portsmouth boss addresses reasons for Adrian Segecic's shock international defection
The attacker has six goals in 34 games since moving to Fratton Park in June 2025
John Mousinho has revealed the reasoning behind Adrian Segecic’s shock international switch to Croatia.
And the Blues head coach admitted the New South Wales-born midfielder consulted him before the decision to ditch his Australian footballing allegiance.
Segecic has been attending Croatia’s Under-21 training camp during the international break after Fifa granted a request to change his football nationality.
The 21-year-old had previously represented the Socceroos at under-17s, under-20s and under-23s, while also trained with Tony Popovic’s senior squad.
Now he’s in the frame to make his Croatia debut on Tuesday night in their Euro Under-21 Championship 2027 qualifier against Turkey.
The Under-21 team is led by head coach Ivica Olic, while Pompey 2008 FA Cup winner, the mercurial Niko Kranjcar, is on the coaching staff.
And Mousinho has backed the decision by the Blues’ six-goal leading scorer.
‘I think that has played a part’
He told The News: ‘I had the conversation with him, I’m there as his head coach and it's something Segs thought long and hard about. It’s going to be an interesting opportunity for him this international break.
‘I don’t know the exact ins and outs of his reasons and what I do know isn’t necessarily mine to share, that will be a question for Segs.
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‘However, what I do know is that, over the past three international breaks, he was called up once for Australia at a time when I thought he was probably in his best form of the season.
‘And, when he did go away with Australia, he didn’t feature and was sat in the stands for both of the games. I think that has played a part.
‘Segs ran a few things by me, my take was it’s a fantastic opportunity for both ways. You have a very, very strong footballing nation in Croatia, who have asked him to go away with the under-21s.
‘He’s always had his eye on the potential of both, but, by the same token, you've also got the Australian national team, who have improved year on year and are going to a World Cup.’
Huge Euro Under-21 Championship qualifier with Turkey
Segecic, whose family are from Croatia, spoke of feeling ‘the desire to represent Croatia as my homeland’ in a statement issued after successfully changing his football nationality a fortnight ago.
In Group H of the Euro Under-21 qualifiers, unbeaten Croatia are presently one point behind leaders Turkey, albeit possessing a game in hand. The group also contains Ukraine, Hungary and Lithuania.
They host Turkey on Tuesday evening (4.30pm) in a crucial clash at Stadion Maksimir, in Zagreb, the home of Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb.
And, from a Pompey perspective, Mousinho is delighted with the significantly reduced amount of travelling Segecic will now have after severing his footballing international ties with Australia.
The Blues head coach added: ‘From our point of view, the reduced travelling now he is with Croatia is a bonus.
‘However, my take was it’s his decision and I am delighted for him to get international football either way - but it’s his decision.
‘I see the pros and cons of both. There’s the opportunity to have the choice, which is quite a nice luxury.’
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