What Socceroo chases next after shock Knights switch

The Gold Coast Knights have pulled off a stunning coup, but the former Socceroo isn’t going to slip into retirement.

FORMER Roar captain and Socceroo Matt Smith plans to give the Gold Coast Knights one final NPL push following the club’s shock aquisition of the defender.

The Knights this week pulled off one of the state league’s biggest coups by landing the 36-year-old for the rest of the season.

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Smith, who led Brisbane Roar to two A-League grand final wins, had last played for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee.

Yet the three-time Socceroo admitted he always harboured a return home with his wife and two kids, alerting the attention of the Knights.

Matt Smith at Brisbane Roar training.

“The intention was always to be in southeast Queensland and (after) five years in Asia, it’s a good time for me and the family to come back,” Smith told the club’s website.

“I’ve constatly kept an eye on Australian football ... because it’s been a key facet of my life ... and I knew at some point we’d be coming back.

“It’s been an interesting few weeks learning about the club.”

Now on deck, Smith will waste little time in helping catapult the fourth-placed Knights further toward a remarkable NPL title.

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“If you ask any player, regardless of the level, for me it’s all about being better and creating that environment,” Smith said of his winning intentions.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m 36 or 26.

“We want to finish the season strong and I want to help the team as much as I can.

“I hope I can come into the team and give us the best team performance over the coming months.”

Smith has a Level B coaching badge and will take a hands-on role with coaching at the Knights.

“I’m coming to the stage of my career where I’m looking at the next chapter,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to get involved in the coaching side of stuff.”

SMITH’S BIO

Age36

Positiondefender

BornChester, England

Clubs: Portsmouth (2000-2001), Chichester City United (2005), Cirencester Town (2006-2007), Gold Coast City (2007), Brisbane Strikers (2009-2010), North Queensland Fury (2009-2010), Brisbane Roar (2010-2014), BG Pathum United (2015-2018), Kitchee (2019)

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