Portsmouth Football Club has today announced the signing of 21-year-old forward Mackenzie Kirk on a permanent deal from St Johnstone.
The Northern Irishman scored 8 goals in 35 games for St Johnstone, where Blues goalkeeper Toby Steward is currently enjoying a loan spell.
He joined the Scottish club in July 2024 from Heart of Midlothian and bagged 7 goals in the Premiership across the 2024/25 season, which ultimately saw the side relegated to the Championship.
Whilst he never really got the opportunity during 2 years at senior level with Hearts, the majority of that time was overshadowed by the rich goalscoring form of Lawrence Shankland.
Hearts manager at the time, Robbie Neilson described Kirk as a "natural finisher" after he made his debut at the age of 18 in the Scottish Premiership.
In the Scottish Lowland League, the forward impressed by scoring 43 goals in 48 games for the Hearts Academy.
It was reported in Scotland on Saturday evening that St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari was prepared for Kirk to be announced as a Pompey player "imminently", with a fee agreed between both clubs.
Makenzie Kirk: St Johnstone boss reveals Portsmouth bid accepted and striker is set for medical https://t.co/fglbeycvhn pic.twitter.com/qdrosaVVJJ
— The Courier Sport (@thecouriersport) August 30, 2025
John Mousinho told the Portsmouth media team: "We're bringing in a player who's an incredibly exciting young prospect and has already featured in plenty of first team games up in Scotland.
"As well as being one for the future, we believe he's someone who can have a positive impact on the side right now.
"We're very excited to have Mackenzie in our squad. I'm looking forward to working with him and watching him continue to develop."
Kirk signs a 3-year deal at Fratton Park.
For even more transfer deadline day news, be sure to follow us on X: @PompeyOnExpress and tune into the next instalment of The Football Hour, which returns tonight (September 1st) with not 1 but 2 hours of Pompey talk, airing between 6-8pm in order to go through the biggest late transfer deals confirmed just after the 7pm deadline. Jake Smith will be hosting the show with Tom Chappell and Andrew Barnard assisting.
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