Portsmouth FC’s Thomas Waddingham represents one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from Australian football in recent years. At just 20 years old, the dynamic striker has already made history as the youngest Australia Cup final scorer since 2014 and established himself as the second-highest scoring teenager in A-League history.
His move to Fratton Park in January 2025 marked a significant milestone in his rapid rise through the ranks of professional football.
Early Life and Youth Development
Thomas Anthony Waddingham was born on 5 April 2005 in Cairns, a vibrant city in Far North Queensland, Australia. Standing at an impressive 1.85 metres (6’1″) and weighing 75 kilograms, Waddingham’s physical presence was evident from an early age. His footballing journey began at Edge Hill United, a local club in Cairns, where his natural ability and work ethic quickly caught the attention of scouts.
The young striker’s talent was first formally recognised when he joined the Football Queensland Academy in 2015 at just 10 years old. His performances at FQ Academy State Carnivals earned him selection for Queensland State Teams, setting the foundation for his future success. Waddingham’s dedication to his craft saw him graduate from Kelvin Grove State College whilst pursuing his footballing dreams.
Brisbane Roar: The Making of a Star
Academy Years and Early Promise
In 2021, aged 16, Waddingham took the crucial step of joining Brisbane Roar’s academy system. The move from Cairns to Brisbane represented a significant commitment to his footballing development. During his time in the academy, he impressed coaches with his finishing ability and natural striker’s instinct, scoring 12 goals in 29 games for Brisbane’s youth team.
An interesting chapter in his development came when he briefly trialled at English Championship club Blackpool as a 17-year-old. The experience of training in England’s intense football environment proved invaluable, with Waddingham later reflecting that “the intensity in England, everyone says the intensity is a lot quicker, but you don’t really know until you witness it”.
Professional Breakthrough
Waddingham’s professional debut arrived on 14 August 2023, when he appeared for Brisbane Roar in an Australia Cup match against Newcastle Jets. This marked the beginning of what would become a meteoric rise in Australian football.
Australia Cup Heroics
The 2023 Australia Cup campaign proved to be Waddingham’s breakthrough moment. He scored four goals in as many games during Brisbane Roar’s run to the final, including the decisive goal that secured their place in the decider. His performance in the final against Sydney FC was particularly memorable, as he became the youngest cup final scorer since the tournament’s modern format began in 2014.
Despite Brisbane Roar’s 3-1 defeat to Sydney FC in the final, Waddingham’s impact was undeniable. His goal in the 18th minute had given the Roar an early lead, and his consistent performances throughout the tournament established him as one of Australian football’s most promising young talents
A-League Success
Following his Australia Cup heroics, Waddingham seamlessly transitioned into A-League football. His debut season in 2023-24 was nothing short of exceptional, scoring seven goals in 23 appearances – a tally that made him Brisbane Roar’s joint-highest scorer for the season alongside Henry Hore and Jay O’Shea.
His goal-scoring record was particularly impressive given his age, with his 11 career A-League goals making him the second-highest scoring teenager in the competition’s history, behind only Nestory Irankunda who scored 16 goals before moving to Bayern Munich.
International Recognition
Waddingham’s club performances earned him recognition at international level with Australia’s youth teams. His first call-up came in October 2023 when he was selected for the Young Socceroos squad for the Marbella Week of Football tournament in Spain.
During the tournament, Waddingham scored goals against both Denmark and the Netherlands, demonstrating his ability to perform on the international stage. His performances earned him the nickname “Erling” from Brisbane Roar teammates Tom Aldred and John O’Shea, a reference to Manchester City’s prolific striker Erling Haaland.
He continued his international involvement with appearances for Australia’s U-23 team, including participation in the WAFF U-23 Championship where Australia finished as runners-up.
Transfer to Portsmouth FC
The Move to England
In January 2025, Portsmouth FC secured Waddingham’s signature for a fee of £200,000, beating competition from Championship rivals QPR and Sheffield Wednesday. The deal represented a significant investment in the future, with Waddingham signing a three-and-a-half-year contract that runs until summer 2028.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho played a crucial role in convincing Waddingham to join the club. Speaking about his decision, Waddingham revealed: “I was speaking to the coach on a call and he was like: ‘I really want to improve, I really want to get better and do well’, which I kind of bought into it”.
Immediate Impact
Waddingham’s Portsmouth debut couldn’t have gone better. Making his first appearance as a second-half substitute against West Bromwich Albion on 25 January 2025, he scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute during a 5-1 defeat. The goal made him an instant hit with Portsmouth supporters and demonstrated his composure under pressure.
Reflecting on his debut goal, Waddingham said: “It’s obviously not the result we wanted, but to come on and score my first goal is a pretty surreal moment. That was a very proud moment for my family and a dream for me”.
Playing Style and Characteristics
Technical Abilities
Waddingham is a left-footed striker who combines pace, physicality, and clinical finishing. Standing at 1.85 metres, he uses his height effectively in aerial duels whilst maintaining the agility needed to make intelligent runs behind defensive lines. His finishing ability has been consistently praised, with coaches noting his composure in front of goal and ability to find the net from various angles.
Tactical Intelligence
One of Waddingham’s standout attributes is his movement in the penalty area. He possesses excellent timing when making runs and shows a natural instinct for finding space between defenders. His ability to drop deep and link play has also improved significantly during his time at Brisbane Roar, making him a more complete striker.
Work Rate and Mentality
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been particularly impressed with Waddingham’s work ethic, noting: “when we stick Tom out on the training pitch, he doesn’t hold back, he is all-action, he is at it, every second of every minute of training”. This relentless approach to improvement has been a constant throughout his career, from his early days in Cairns to his current time at Fratton Park.
Career Statistics
Club Performance Overview
Waddingham’s career statistics demonstrate consistent goal-scoring ability across different competitions. His record shows particular strength in domestic cup competitions, where he has averaged over 0.8 goals per game in the Australia Cup.
Seasonal Development
The progression chart illustrates Waddingham’s development as a striker, showing his ability to maintain consistent goal-scoring output despite changing leagues and adapting to different playing styles.
Overview of Portsmouth FC Career
Thomas Waddingham joined Portsmouth FC in January 2025 from Brisbane Roar for a fee of £200,000, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract until 2028. His Portsmouth career began with immediate impact, scoring on his debut despite limited playing time since joining the Championship club.
Waddingham has made 5 appearances for Portsmouth FC during the 2024/25 Championship season, scoring 1 goal with 0 assists in 101 minutes of playing time. He averages 20.2 minutes per appearance and maintains an impressive goals per 90 minutes ratio of 0.89. The young striker wears shirt number 20 and has received one yellow card with no red cards.
Strengths
- Clinical Finishing: Converting 25% of his shots into goals with strong shot accuracy
- Passing Precision: 87.5% pass accuracy shows good technical ability
- Penalty Box Presence: 10 touches in the opposition box from limited minutes demonstrates good positioning
- Immediate Impact: Scored on his debut, showing ability to make an instant impression
Areas for Development
- Consistent Impact: Only one goal contribution in 5 appearances indicates need for more regular influence
- Aerial Duels: 16.7% success rate in aerial duels suggests room for improvement in this area
- Playing Time: Has yet to start a match for Portsmouth, appearing as a substitute in all appearances
Individual Honours
- Brisbane Roar Young Player of the Year 2024: Recognition for his outstanding performances during his debut A-League season
- Australia Cup Final Scorer 2023: Became the youngest player to score in a cup final since 2014
- Second-highest scoring A-League teenager: His 11 goals place him behind only Nestory Irankunda in the competition’s history
Development at Portsmouth
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has outlined clear development plans for Waddingham, emphasising gradual integration into Championship football. “If Tom ends up playing minutes in the Championship this year, that’s a really good return for someone of such a young age coming over from a different league”.
The club’s commitment to Waddingham’s development is evident in their long-term contract and the faith shown by including him in first-team squads immediately upon his arrival.
International Ambitions
With his dual nationality (Australian and English heritage), Waddingham represents exciting potential for both national teams. His performances for Australia’s youth teams suggest senior international recognition may not be far away, particularly if he continues his development in English football.
Market Value and Interest
Current estimates place Waddingham’s market value between €0.8-1.3 million, representing significant potential return on Portsmouth’s £200,000 investment. His performances have already attracted interest from higher-profile clubs, including reported monitoring from Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.
