All Whites defender Tommy Smith signs deal to join League Two club MK Dons

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New Zealand international Tommy Smith has joined English League Two club MK Dons on a free transfer following his departure from Colchester United.

Smith (33) has been training with the Dons in pre-season and the 50-cap All White has now become the club’s sixth summer signing.

“It’s brilliant to get the deal sorted and over the line,” Smith told the MK Dons website and broadcast channel.

“I’m delighted to be here and hopefully I can help contribute to a successful season.

“I got a call from the Gaffer to see if I’d be interested in coming in to train and I jumped at the chance. I have enjoyed my couple of weeks here so far, getting to know the manager and the players, so it was an easy decision to sign.

“This is quite a young squad and I know the Gaffer wants me to come in and use my experience as much as I can, on and off the pitch. First and foremost, I want to contribute on the pitch and help the team get points on the board but naturally I’ll try and be an experienced voice and help the players around me.”

Main photo: How Tommy Smith was unveiled as an MK Don to supporters. Photo credit: MK Dons.

*Head coach Graham Alexander and Tommy Smith. Photo credit: MK Dons.*

Head coach Graham Alexander said:

“He played in the pre-season game against Barnet and then came with us to Germany. We liked how he trained and how he interacted with everybody. He also showed us how motivated he is to contribute to the team this season.

“Already, in the short space of time that he’s been with us, we have seen him pass on the experience and knowledge he has from playing at a higher level and internationally. However, he’s not coming in to just be a mouthpiece for us – he’s motivated to be a valuable player for us.”

Macclesfield-born Smith has made 455 professional club appearances with spells at Ipswich Town, Brentford, Colorado Rapids and Colchester United, where he was club captain.

He played 101 games for Colchester, and the club helped him mark his 500th club and international appearance milestone in 2023.

The tally does not include Smith’s games as a youth player with Auckland’s North Shore United, or youth games with Crewe Alexandra and Ipswich Town.