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Segecic, born in Sydney but now representing Croatia at international level, scored the opening goal of the match just after the half hour before putting Pompey back in front on 6 minutes after the hosts had equalised not long into the second half.

The 21-year-old completed his first hat-trick in England with eight minutes remaining with the pick of the bunch, charging forward from halfway before blasting past Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin to secure all three points for the visitors.

"It’s massive. It’s my second professional hat-trick, my first at Portsmouth and my first in the Championship," Segecic said before rating his superb third goal, after which he was booked for his celebration, which involved removing his No.10 shirt and holding it up to the travelling supporters.

"The third was just a bit of Segs, I guess," he added.

"I knew what I was going to do and the celebrations were definitely worth taking a yellow card for. It’s just so pleasing to reward the fans both as a team and an individual. I’m pleased I could make their day special."

Segecic scored his first professional hat-trick in the A-League for Sydney FC against Central Coast Mariners in January 2025.

But he rated this latest one as far more important, and it has added to a stellar recent run for the Croatia Under-21 star, who has now accumulated four goals and three assists in five games.

"It’s not easy to score hat-tricks in this league," he said.

"First of all I’ve got to thank the boys, the performance today was unbelievable.

"We just had to take the shackles off. It was the perfect performance and even though there was nothing to play for the boys still gave everything.

"To come across the world and do something like this makes it more special than my last hat-trick. The boys have been saying to me it’s not easy to score a hat-trick in the Championship."

Pompey boss John Mousinho saved special praise for Segecic.

"I was very pleased with [Segecic] and that's the thing I like to focus on with players," he said.

"He was a constant threat on the right-hand side, and ran in behind very well and looked after the ball brilliantly, which is something we have been really working on and focusing on with him.

"The first finish, with all that time, I was glad to see it go into the back of the net. It was a poacher's finish for the second, and it was a brilliant, typical Adrian Segecic for the third.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him because he has had an excellent season."