Palm Beach sign Englishman Dan Smith, formerly with Hellenic Athletic, for 2019 Premier League

ONE of the stars of Hellenic Athletic Club’s fairytale run to last season’s FFA Cup Round of 32 will add firepower to the Palm Beach engine room after signing on for the 2019 Premier League.

ONE of the stars of Hellenic Athletic Club’s fairytale run to last season’s FFA Cup Round of 32 will add firepower to the Palm Beach engine room after signing on for the Gold Coast Premier League campaign.

Attacking midfielder Dan Smith, who scored for Darwin-based Hellenic in a 4-3 FFA Cup loss to Western Sydney last August, is the third foreigner to join the Sharks for the 2019 season kicking off on March 8.

The 27-year-old Englishman joins Chilean defender Pato Arce Aviles, 26, and 25-year-old Argentinian midfielder Federico Testa-Cuttitta, with Palm Beach coach Brett Budwee adamant he will be one of the club’s most important additions.

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“Dan is a bustling attacking midfielder who has an eye for goal and great communication skills. He fitted in really well from day one and has won the respect of all the lads and myself with his attitude and work rate at training,” Budwee said of Smith, who scored in Thursday night’s 2-2 pre-season draw against QPL side Logan Lightning.

Dan Smith in action for Hellenic Athletic Club against Western Sydney Wanderers in the FFA Cup in Darwin last August. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“It was important for me to add some age and experience to the squad so Dan is a perfect signing for us and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes this year.”

With midfield duo Jason Campbell and Tom Miller departing for Gold Coast United in the off-season, Smith looms as a key figure for the Sharks after their young squad finished seventh in 2018.

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“The team seems to have a really great moral and they play with a fast tempo, which I enjoy,” Smith said.

Budwee said Aviles was the type of player needed to guide the club’s emerging crop around the park.