Striker Martyn Waghorn says departing defender Tommy Smith will be a big loss to the club but that the opportunity to join the Colorado Rapids was one the New Zealand international needed to take. The 27-year-old’s switch to the MLS side, first revealed by TWTD more than a fortnight ago, was finally confirmed last night.
"He’s a big influential player,” said Waghorn, who celebrates his 28th birthday today.
"He’s obviously been around the club for a lot of years, one of those experienced heads, although he’s not that old. But he’s got a bit of experience of the club, the fans and everything around the place.
"Yes, it’s a big loss, but it’s an opportunity for him and he needs to take it, he needs to go and play and move on with his family and be happy.
"I wish him all the best, I’ve really enjoyed my time with him, he’s a really good lad, but it’s one of those things in football.”
Waghorn, who joined the Blues from Rangers for £250,000 in the summer, says it’s good to have established team-mates such as Smith to help you settle in at a new club.
"Not only Tommy, there are a lot of boys,” he reflected. "You’ve got Skusey, Chambo, Didz, Bart, Hymsy, all players that have been here a lot of years and I think that shows in the way they play. They know the club inside out.
"Not only that, the gaffer has been here for a few years. It’s nice to come to a place that settled, it’s got its core and you work off that.”
Smith, who has moved for an undisclosed fee, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Rapids, who are managed by his former All Whites boss Anthony Hudson, having an option to keep him for a further season.