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Smith's Departure for Colorado Rapids Confirmed
Monday, 22nd Jan 2018 17:26

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.

“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.

"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.”


Photo: TWTD



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Green_Army added 17:28 - Jan 22
All the best Tommy. A great servant to our club and at times was underrated and undervalued. Hope to see him return to Town one day.
28

oioihardy added 17:29 - Jan 22
What a lovely man. Good luck! You deserve it all! :)
27

Mark added 17:29 - Jan 22
Like Berra, no transfer fee?

Very best of luck Tommy. Thanks for the good memories.
14

nineteenseventyeight added 17:30 - Jan 22
Gutted, was a bit wobbly during Jewels years but fought through to be solid, sad to see him go!
14

12th_Man added 17:34 - Jan 22
Fantastic servant to itfc. No-one should begrudge Tommy this move. Hope he gets the testimonial deserves at some stage.
20

Bluetone added 17:36 - Jan 22
Good luck Tommy may you enjoy more success in your career.
Sad to see you go but nothing is forever.
13

PortmanTerrorist added 17:37 - Jan 22
All the very best Tommy, to the best captain we never had. Enjoy the new experience and hope to see you play again soon......if only we had a team of Tommy Smith's you might not have needed to find a new opportunity.

Missin y'all already
17

jas0999 added 17:37 - Jan 22
Shame that he's leaving but it's with best wishes. Always disappointing to see one of our players leave and replaced with another teams youngster. Where is the long term plan Mr. Evans.

Thank you Tommy - good luck.
14

cornishblu added 17:39 - Jan 22
Gave us the only real memorable moment of MM reign ....Tommy ...you will always be a blue ...you hate Norwich ...One of our own #COYB .....best wishes for the future ....give us a shout in 6 months when the dinosaur has moved on ...welcome back with open arms !
18

Hamish1979 added 17:41 - Jan 22
I'm very sad about this. A lovely man and a decent championship defender. I would expect us to have received some sort of a fee for him? I'm not sure letting go of players who care for the club and replacing them with young loanees is the best idea I've heard this year. I thought Mick didn't rate young defenders? A very sad day I think.
15

deano85 added 17:44 - Jan 22
SO no fee??
Why? A first team player, who is under contract, and is a good age should command a good fee??
9

Taricco_Fan added 17:46 - Jan 22
Sad to see him go. Good player and great servant to the club.

All the best in Denver. The MLS is getting better every year and it's certainly a great opportunity for Tommy and his family to enjoy a new life.
16

ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:46 - Jan 22
Real shame Tommy is leaving. A consistent performer prior to injury. Not a proper bloke then, otherwise MM would have bust a gut to keep him.
The board again of letting decent players go for peanuts.
Hopefully we have a permanent replacement lined up, though i wont hold my breath.
8

gamezone added 17:59 - Jan 22
Well never thought this one would happen. Think you'll find there was a massive fee but Evans spent it already. Very sad day, MM you should be ashamed of yourself.
4

Dyland added 18:00 - Jan 22
A real shame but best of luck to Tommy and his family. Feels like he's been here forever. Always underrated by some, imo. Bon voyage. Come back when you become a coach :)
14

happybeingblue added 18:00 - Jan 22
good luck Tommy lets not forget he was our player of the year in 2013, and i am sure he will always be remembered of fondly here in Ipswich
19

blueboy1981 added 18:01 - Jan 22
A sad day indeed to see Tommy leave. Nothing makes logical sense at the Club anymore, other than from the Owners / Managers perspective - and neither have any real care, or concern, for Ipswich Town.

For anyone to suggest otherwise is way off the mark

Thanks and all Good Wishes Tommy - a 'true' BLUE - something the above aforementioned will NEVER be.
3

therein61 added 18:05 - Jan 22
All the very best Tommy you have served Town with the utmost commitment unlike some who get in the side every week(come number 4 and 8 your time is up!!) go off and enjoy playing in a wonderful setting and enjoy being free of a man who loves his pathetic favourites come hell or high water.
4

sotd78 added 18:06 - Jan 22
MM doesn't negotiate fees. This is not something to lay at his door. Really guys we all know some of you blindly hate any Town manager past six months in but you do have to pick the right arguments.

Good Luck Tommy Smith - great servant to our club.
10

SheptonMalletBlue added 18:09 - Jan 22
Shame. Great servant to our club. Another little bit of the real ITFC disappearing!
10

itfchorry added 18:10 - Jan 22
Will be missed - Like us had Ipswich running
through his veins - All the best Tommy Smith
11

1966 added 18:10 - Jan 22
Nice Fella , Good Luck ..
8

therein61 added 18:13 - Jan 22
Just to add re the no fee question it's another bit of commission for Mick(so called manager) the agent of the tax loss empire his retirement coffers must be huge since he's been at our club but of course will have been squirreled away abroad out of sight won't it Marcus!!.
0

planetblue_2011 added 18:14 - Jan 22
Good luck Tommy you have been a brilliant player for us through the years.
Go & enjoy your Colarado experience you deserve it.
Only 27 you will definitely do the business over there.
COCR😁
9

Cakeman added 18:14 - Jan 22
Very best of luck Tommy. You deserve success as you have always conducted yourself as a polite true professional.
Sadly McCarthy didn't play Tommy as much as he could and I get the feeling it was because he wasn't a McCarthy signing. Instead he tried others, laterly Webster who in my opinion is certainly no better than Tommy.
Anyway all the best for a bright future.
5


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