Tommy Smith debuts for Colchester United

After eleven months, Tommy Smith is officially back to football. The 30-year-old central defender made his debut for Colchester United in the 3-1 loss to Reading in the first round of 2020-21 EFL Cup in England.

Smith was in Colchester’s starting eleven and he played the full match. Despite all efforts, the New Zealand international and his teammates were not able to hold Reading – a team that is two divisions above them – and they were knocked-out of the tournament.

It was Tommy Smith’s first official match since last October when he was playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer – the most important football league from the United States of America. He also had a stint at Sunderland AFC earlier this year but he did not play any official match with them.

Born in England, the defender has chosen to represent New Zealand internationally. He has already played 38 matches for All Whites and scored two goals.