Notts County Secure €150,000 Striker Signing
Notts County have won the transfer battle for Australian striker Luka Smyth, signing him from Finnish side VPS for €150,000. The 22-year-old joins the Magpies ahead of their promotion to League One.
What happened?
Notts County have secured a deal to land new striker Luka Smyth, beating AFC Wimbledon to the signing. Smyth joins the Magpies from Finnish side VPS, penning an initial three-year deal with an option to extend.
Why it matters for Notts County
The signing of Smyth marks a bit of a gamble for the Magpies, given the league he is coming from. However, he is of the profile to deal with League One's physical football, and his age means he has time to develop.
What comes next?
Smyth will bring a strong aerial presence to the Notts County attack, standing at 193cm tall. He has impressed in Finland's top flight, scoring seven goals in 14 games for VPS. The 22-year-old will be eager to prove himself in League One football.
Notts County are preparing to join AFC Wimbledon in League One after glory in the League Two play-offs. And, before the two tussle on the pitch, the Magpies have emerged victorious in a transfer battle. According to Fox Sports Australia reporter James Dodd, County have secured a deal to land new striker Luka Smyth.
The 22-year-old is set to move to Meadow Lane from Finnish side VPS, penning an initial three-year deal with an option to extend after the clubs agreed a €150,000 (around £125,000) fee. AFC Wimbledon weren’t the only ones keen on Smyth either. It is said that a number of Dutch clubs were keen, but he will head for Nottingham this summer.
Smyth is a 22-year-old Australian striker who came through the ranks at Sydney FC before heading for Finland. He joined VPS in 2024, and after impressing for their youth sides, his ascent to first-team football was inevitable. He scored a stunning 16 goals in eight games for their second-string side and starred for the U20s before rising to the senior setup.
This season has seen Smyth hit eye-catching form, bagging seven goals in 14 games in Finland’s top flight, the Veikkausliiga. Smyth stands at 193cm tall, so he’ll bring a strong aerial presence to the Notts County attack. Not only does that make him a threat from crosses, but it helps him hold up the ball and create chances for onrushing attackers.
His impressive goal record indicates he’s an active figure at the top of the pitch and a good finisher. The jump from Finnish to English football is not one regularly made, but Smyth will be eager to prove he’s ready to take on League One football.
Notts County have raised some eyebrows with their recruitment so far this summer. Proven League One stars haven’t been recruited, with free transfers the main route of adding to the group thus far. All have been based in the UK too, but the Magpies’ scouting network spans into lesser utilised European markets. A deal for Smyth shows they’re not abandoning this method after bringing in most players from England and Scotland.
Smyth marks a bit of a gamble given the league he is coming from, but he is of the profile to deal with League One’s physical football. Not only this, but his age means he has time to develop, both into a key player for Martin Paterson and potentially in the transfer market.
League standing: 5th in League Two, 80 pts, 24W-8D-14L from 46 games, recent form WDWDW. Goals this season: 74 scored, 52 conceded (+22 goal difference). Title race: 7 points behind leaders Bromley. Last result: Notts County 3-0 Salford City (2026-05-25). Recent form (last 5): 3W-2D-0L (WWDDW, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run.
