'I feel I can be a top, top player': Portsmouth attacker on why he's playing better than ever

Adrian Segecic is convinced he has evolved into a better player for Pompey this season.

Now the 22-year-old is targeting adding more goals and assists to his first-team performances to prove it.

Last season’s top scorer is again leading the charts this time around, with three goals in 13 outings for the 11th-placed Blues.

He also weighed in with an assist against Millwall, when his right-wing free-kick was deflected past his own goalkeeper by Lyndon Dykes for a 16th-minute equaliser, with Pompey going on to win 2-1.

These days Segecic is now a regular in his favoured number 10 role, rather than being asked to operate on the right wing.

And the Croatia Under-21 international believes his overall game has developed since that encouraging maiden campaign in English football produced 11 goals.

‘I am now probably a lot more composed, a lot more in the game’

He told The News: ‘I do think I've come a long way in my overall performances, I have definitely been more solid. I can show more improvements, but the goals and assists will come.

‘It’s just about the team now and winning. I have shown that I’m now able to perform 90 minutes week in, week out. Having come in initially at such a young age, I still feel I’m developing my physical side of the game

‘At the end of last season it was more the goals for me rather than the performance from start to finish. I am now probably a lot more composed, a lot more in the game.

‘Obviously the goals at the end of last season helped and made a massive difference, but I definitely feel my overall performance this season is improving. I’m still getting a few goals, so if I can get more of those behind me then I can definitely push further on.

‘I’ll keep improving and, once the goals come, I feel like I can be a top, top player in this division.’

Joining from A-League side Sydney FC

After arriving from Sydney FC in June 2025, Segecic burst into the English game with goals in each of his opening two Championship appearances.

The attacker also ended the 2025-26 campaign in style, netting five times in the final three matches, including a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at Stoke in April.

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That took his overall tally to 11 goals from 40 appearances - an outstanding return considering it was the youngster’s maiden Pompey campaign.

And with goals against West Ham, Lincoln and Sheffield United so far this term, Segecic is continuing to catch the eye.

‘That’s the biggest thing for me’

He added: ‘I am definitely ahead of where I was at the start of last season. If you can bring up where I was 10-12 games in compared to now, it’s a massive improvement - and that’s the biggest thing for me.

‘Without doubt I have improved this season. If you look back to where I was at the start of last year, I was nowhere near performing at 90 minutes week in, week out physically.

‘Also mentally being able to go again and perform at that level every single game - and now I feel like I’ve been able to do it.

‘The only thing missing - for all of us - is that little click in the final third where we start demolishing teams. That is yet to come.’

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