Smith Signs New Deal Until 2016

By TownFans.co.uk
May 23 2013

Town's Supporters’ Player of the Year Tommy Smith has signed a new contract at the club that will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2016.

New Zealand international central defender Smith was out of favour at the club during former manager Paul Jewell's time in chage, but since the appointment of current Town boss Mick McCarthy has made himself an integral part of the first eleven and has been rewarded by being handed an extended deal which he was delighted to sign.

Speaking to the Official Club Website this lunchtime, Smith expressed his delight: "I'm delighted to extend my stay at Town. It’s great that the Club have shown loyalty with me and that I’ve shown my loyalty to the Club as well.

“I’ve been here since I was 16 years-old and I love the Club. Hopefully I can be here for a few more years to come and we can be successful. The Club means a lot to me and I’ve developed a great relationship with the fans. It’s also great to see players coming out of the Academy and into the first-team, like myself, Luke Hyam and Josh Carson.”

During the early days of his Town career, Spent time on loan Stevenage Borough in the Blue Square Premier from February 2008 until the end of the season. In 2010 also spent just over two months on loan at Brentford following the injury to then team-mate Pim Balkestein who was originally on loan at the Bees from Town with a further loan spell following at Colchester in 2010/2011.

Smith represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing in all three group games, which finished in draws meaning the All Whites did not make it through to the knock-out stages of the competition and has captained his national side on several occasions.

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