Central defender Tommy Smith’s exit to the Colorado Rapids for an undisclosed fee has been confirmed with the 27-year-old admitting that it is a “big wrench” to leave the club he joined at 16. TWTD was first to reveal that the New Zealand international was closing in on a move to the MLS side earlier this month.
Having initially come to Playford Road on trial aged 14, Maclesfield-born, New Zealand-raised Smith joined the academy as a full-time scholar in the summer of 2006.
He made his senior debut in the opening game of the 2008/09 campaign, a 2-1 home defeat to Preston, and went on to make 251 starts and 17 sub appearances for the Blues - more than any other academy graduate - scoring 23 goals.
In addition, Smith, who has signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year with the Rapids, spent spells on loan at Stevenage, Brentford and Colchester while with Town.
He also represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Olympics, having played at the 2007 U17 World Cup for England.
"I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the club,” Smith told iFollow Ipswich. "I was made to feel very welcome when I first arrived here at 14. They looked after me then and it remained that way and I’ve got some fantastic memories of my time here.
"I’ve got a lot of love for the club and the town itself and it’s going to feel strange not coming here in the mornings.
"It’s a big wrench to leave and it’s not a decision I have taken lightly but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to taking on.
"I have worked with the head coach at Colorado, Anthony Hudson, with New Zealand and he made it clear he wanted me to be part of his plans.
"That chance to play regular football again was key for me. I’ve had my injury problems over the last 18 months, two years but when I have been fit, I’ve been in and out of the team. That has been hard to take when before that I played regularly over three or four years.
"I had a chat with the manager here and he was very understanding and supportive when the chance came up to go to Colorado. With the opportunity to play regularly and the life experiences that I will get from the move, it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"You can never be sure but when my football career is over, my wife and I intend to return to Ipswich and make it our home again.
🗣 "To have played over 250 games for the Club and to wear the shirt with pride every single time has been a bit of a dream."
With a heavy heart, @tommysmith1990 departs Town#itfc pic.twitter.com/nBCzNN4htm– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 22, 2018
"My last day at the training ground on Friday was a very emotional time, saying goodbye to the players and the staff. Tears were flowing but I hope to be back at the club in some capacity in future years.
"It would have been nice to have said a proper farewell to the fans but things move fast in football and unfortunately that hasn’t happened. I want to thank the fans for all their support over the years and wish the club every success in the future.
"I will miss the club immensely but I am looking forward to the challenge I face with the Rapids. Hopefully some fans would like to follow my progress out there. Goodbye for now and thank you.”
Speaking to the Rapids official side, he added: "It’s a very exciting move for me both personally and professionally.
"I’m extremely grateful to Ipswich Town for the faith they’ve shown in me over the past 11 years. I’ll certainly miss the club and its great supporters, and will carry on following their progress.
ðŸ”µâšªï¸ #ITFC @Official_ITFC pic.twitter.com/mut2ZFoxLe– Tommy Smith (@tommysmith1990) January 22, 2018
"I wish them the very best for the future. But looking ahead, the opportunity to join the Rapids — a club who have a very ambitious vision for the future — was too great.
"I look forward to playing a key role in bringing that vision to life. Our goal is to bring another MLS Cup to Colorado.”
Rapids executive vice-president and general manager, Pádraig Smith, said: "Bringing in someone of Tommy’s caliber along the back line was a top priority for us this off-season.
"His experience and leadership will be great assets for us, and we look forward to him joining us in Arizona this week for the start of pre-season training camp.”
#Rapids96 @ColoradoRapids pic.twitter.com/ChR6fPIhdu– Tommy Smith (@tommysmith1990) January 22, 2018