Former Colorado Rapids and Sunderland Tommy Smith defender has joined the English side Colchester United. This will be the second spell of Smith in the club as he played for Colchester in 2011 – when he was loaned by Ipswich Town to the team.
The New Zealand international has 38 caps for the national and most recently played for Sunderland also in England. “The experienced defender has put pen to paper on a two year deal and committed to the North Essex side following a trial period where he has been involved in a number of pre-season friendlies“, said Colchester United’s press release.
Smith was called up by New Zealand’s new head coach Danny Hay in the two friendly matches played by the All Whites in Europe last year – the last two matches played the national team – against Republic of Ireland and Lithuania.
Colchester expects the experience of Smith helps them to get a promotion in the upcoming season. The club finished sixth in the 4th tier of English football last season – very close to grant a promotion – and hope to return to their good moments when in Championship, second tier of football, in the past years.
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