EFL Transfer Bulletin #6 – Aussie Rules: Segečić to Pompey & Pearman to QPR, while MK sign Collins and Stockport replace Horsfall

The latest 33 done deals in the EFL, and in focus: we're going Down Under with Andy Watson from The GBE Expert Hub.

Jun 20, 2025

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G’day mate...

Australia intrigues me. It's responsible for the greatest children’s TV show in history. I watched Neighbours at university and for a decade afterwards. And years later, I’m currently listening to an up-and-down series of Aussie crime thrillers, the highlight of which is hearing the narrator say, “Yeah, nah, I...” to begin every piece of dialogue.

But even I have nothing on the EFL. Portsmouth have just made their fifth A-League acquisition in two years (which doesn’t include Aussie loanee Sammy Silvera, who was borrowed from Boro), while Coventry have also dipped their toe in Antipodean waters recently and now QPR have gone back in for a second time.

Strewth, as they probably don’t say.

Andy Watson from the GBE Expert Hub joins us to talk about the trend of EFL clubs turning to the land of Oz:

Why has Australia become a go-to market for some EFL Championship clubs?

The transfers of Adrian Segečić and Jaylan Pearman to Portsmouth and QPR respectively mean that, since last summer, seven players have now moved directly from the Australian A-League to the EFL Championship, and six of those seven have gone to Portsmouth or QPR.

There has been a notable surge in recruitment from the A-League by English clubs recently, particularly when considering the six signings made in 2023 as well. Indeed, the 13 imports over this period match the number of Australians signed from Australia to England across 2014-2022.

There are two main reasons for this: the ESC regulations, which came into being in summer 2023, and then the addition of Australia to Band 5 of the GBE regulations in summer 2024. This has made it relatively straightforward to recruit from the A-League because five appearances in that league are enough to fulfil one of the ESC criteria, and one is all that is needed. This bureaucratic wrinkle adds to the obviously appealing cultural fit of Aussie players for British clubs.

The issue is that you do then need at least one ESC slot available. Portsmouth have, appropriately, sailed pretty close to the wind in this regard, having had to pull some ESC levers in January to get Adil Aouchiche over the line (on loan). However, we calculate that Pompey do have at least one more slot even after Segečić, so will we see them travel Down Under one more time this summer?

QPR have been heavy users of ESC as well, and they have shopped Perth Glory’s well-stocked young starlets before, signing Daniel Bennie last year. The ESC slots look pretty full at Loftus Road, though, so they will have to be careful with their foreign recruitment.

Championship

Miguel Angel Brau (LB) - [Granada - Coventry] - Free

Brau is a late bloomer: the 23-year-old made his breakthrough into the Granada first team only at the beginning of last season, following their relegation from La Liga. Twelve months later, on the expiration of his contract, he becomes the first signing of Coventry’s summer window. Jay Dasilva and Jake Bidwell are serviceable but replaceable left-backs – that may help Cov to transition Brau to the English game patiently, because on first impressions, he’s going to find it a bit of a culture shock.

Semi Ajayi (CB) - [West Bromwich Albion - Hull] - Free

Possibly the most surprising part about this deal is the multi-year contract. At his best, Ajayi can certainly be a very good Championship centre-back. We saw that in 2019/20 and 21/22. But he hasn’t played over 2,000 minutes in a league season since then, and his performances when available haven’t hit past levels.

Ajayi, 31, brings Hull a lot of experience at the level. That could be beneficial. But they will definitely be hoping that his injuries haven’t impacted his physical attributes too much, because if he has lost his speed, that’s going to affect his defensive capabilities. Still, if he somehow finds peak form, then Hull have a very solid operator.

Rylee Mitchell (GK) - [Stevenage - Norwich] - Undisclosed

The Canaries pick up a goalkeeper primed to play development football. The 19-year-old made his first steps in the senior game with a short-term loan at Oxford City, making six appearances and keeping one clean sheet. He’s one for the future.

Louie Moulden (GK) - [Crystal Palace - Norwich] - Free

Daniel Grimshaw, George Long, Vicente Reyes, Daniel Barden, Rylee Mitchell (above)… and now Norwich add a 6th goalkeeper to their books. Moulden, 23, has more experience than Mitchell following loan spells with Northampton and Rochdale, and his arrival surely signals impending departures.

Adrian Segečić (LW/RW/AM) - [Sydney FC - Portsmouth] - Undisclosed

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