Exclusive:Why Portsmouth favourite could have key role in convincing transfer target to snub Millwall and Cardiff

In the transfer battle for Rocco Shein, at least there’s already a friendly face in Pompey’s dressing room.

And no doubt John Mousinho will be hoping the in-demand Estonian’s former team-mate Adrian Segecic will put in a favourable word to boost their pursuit.

Shein has emerged as a leading target for Pompey this summer as they seek to strengthen the centre of midfield following the departure of Andre Dozzell.

The Fredrikstad FK player is reportedly valued between £2.5m to £4.2m, with Cardiff and Millwall also linked with the highly-regarded international.

Certainly there is someone already within the Pompey camp who knows plenty about the 22-year-old - having played alongside each other at FC Dordrecht.

Team-mates in Holland’s second tier in 2023-24

Sydney FC loaned Segecic to the Dutch second-tier side for the 2023-24 season, with the attacker arriving in the same summer as fellow 20-year-old Shein from Utrecht.

They would establish themselves as regulars in the starting XI of a side which finished fourth in the Eerste Division, only to miss out on promotion through the play-offs.

Segecic marked his September 2023 debut for Dordrecht with a goal just 24 minutes into a clash at FC Emmen, having been named in the team alongside Shein.

Yet while they ran out 4-2 winners, it proved to be an unfortunate match for Shein, who was sent off in the second half following two yellow cards as both teams finished with 10 men.

Regardless, the Estonian international would total 28 appearances, three goals and three assists in his maiden season with the Sheep Heads in 2023-24.

‘I learnt a lot of life lessons off the pitch’

As for Segecic, he netted five times in 32 appearances before returning to Sydney in the summer of 2024, having blossomed in a loan designed to aid his development.

Indeed, the attacker previously told The News how that campaign in Holland prepared him for the rigours of the Championship with Pompey after his June 2025 arrival.

Speaking in January, following his match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday, he reflected on his time at Dordrecht.

He told The News: ‘I had a loan spell in Holland with Dordrecht when I was younger and got used to the winter and playing every three days, so I’ve already had that bit of experience of the weather and adapting your body.

‘It was in the Second Division over there, I was aged 18-19 and I then returned to Sydney FC. So I’ve had that bit of experience overseas already. I have kind of been used to living on my own, handling yourself and taking care of your body by yourself as well.

‘That definitely helps. When I was younger in Holland, I learnt a lot of life lessons off the pitch, which definitely helps on the pitch. Coming over by myself to England and doing it all again, it just feels like I’ve done it before and know what to expect.

‘The biggest thing is, of course, every three days you are having a game. England is a really competitive and physical league where you need your body to be 100 per cent all the time.

‘You’re going to be running a lot and you are going to be getting wrestled and fighting a lot, so it’s definitely one where you need to adapt and it might take time.’

Potential Fratton Park reunion

While Segecic returned to Australia in the summer of 2024, Shein remained at Dordrecht for another six months, before being sold to Norwegian club Fredrikstad in January 2025.

Now, 18 months later, Pompey are pursuing the 22-year-old, potentially setting up a reunion between two former team-mates.

And with Segecic having flourished following his own Fratton Park switch, that may offer hope in persuading Shein to almost make the move to England’s south coast.

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