Brisbane Roar has secured the services of defender Matt Smith for the next two Hyundai A-League seasons.
Smith joins Brisbane after his former North Queensland Fury team mate Shane Stefanutto signed a three-year deal with the club earlier in the week.
Having joined the Fury from Queensland State League club Brisbane Strikers, the English-born Australian said he was happy to be coming home.
“Brisbane and the Gold Coast are where I’ve called home since I moved to Australia so I’m delighted to be back,” Smith said.
“It was disappointing to leave the Fury, but I’m very excited about the opportunity I now have with Brisbane.”
Smith has a proven track record of taking opportunities when they are presented to him as he demonstrated with the Fury last season.
Plucked from the QSL as injury cover at North Queensland, Smith quickly and seamlessly became a linchpin of the defensive line.
While Smith paid tribute to former Fury mentor Ian Ferguson for giving him the opportunity to showcase his talents in Australia’s premier football competition, the 27 year-old said the chance to join Ange Postecoglou-s squad was too good to refuse.
“Once Ange made contact there was no hesitation in taking the chance to join the club,” Smith said.
“At 27 I’m not one of the younger players anymore, so I really want to take the opportunity to become an onfield leader.
“I want to try and establish myself in the starting eleven and really help out some of the younger players.”
Postecoglou said Smith has the attributes to not only bolster the club’s defensive stocks but also become a crowd favourite.
“He brings quality and experience to our defensive ranks,” Postecoglou said.
“He plays with the passion and commitment that I am sure will be appreciated by his team-mates and Roar fans.”
“I am pleased that Matt has agreed to join us and know he will be a valuable contributor to the Roar over the next couple of seasons and beyond.”
MATT SMITH FACT FILE
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 15 October 1982
Place of Birth: Chichester, England
Height: 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 inches)
Position: Defender
Club Information
Senior clubs: Great Britain Universities, England Universities, Hartpury University, Cirencester Town, Chichester City Football Club, Portsmouth Football Club, Palm Beach Football Club, Brisbane Strikers, North Queensland Fury
Hyundai A-league debut: North Queensland Fury v Adelaide United at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 28 November 2009
