Tommy Smith. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Former All Whites captain Tommy Smith has signed with new A-League club Auckland.
The 34-year-old centre back has 51 caps for the All Whites and played 247 games for Ipswich Town in the second tier English Championship and comes to the Black Knights after a short stint with A-League side Macarthur FC.
Auckland have also signed All Whites striker Max Mata who joins on loan from England League One club Shrewsbury Town.
Mata has most recently played with Sligo Rovers in Ireland's Premier Division.
Head coach Steve Corica said the signings demonstrated the club's focus on building a side that balanced a mix of experience with youth potential.
"Tommy is an experienced player that is going to be a great leader to the rest of the squad; he's played all over the world, was the youngest captain in All Whites' history and was a part of the 2010 World Cup squad," said Corica.
"Max has an exciting future ahead of him. He's returning home having become an established player at international level. He has really bought into the style of football we as a club want to play and the pathways we can offer to him and players like him."
The club, which will play its games at Mt Smart stadium now has six signings ahead of its debut season, last week having announced the signings of Jesse Randall, Michael Woud, Francis De Vries, and Cameron Howieson.
So far all six signings are New Zealand players with visa and marquee players to be announced over the next few weeks.
-RNZ
