Alex Smith will be with the Wellington Phoenix for the rest of the Hyundai A-League season.
Smith confirmed today that he had agreed a new deal with the club after joining one game into the season as an injury replacement, and also signified he would like to still be a Phoenix player next season.
“The new deal takes me through to the end of the season and we have had preliminary discussions, which are promising, for me to be here next year,” Smith said.
“I would love to stay on because I-m really enjoying my football here,” Smith said.
“Ricki (Herbert) has been good in giving me a chance and I am trying to repay him.
“It has also been easy to settle in because the players, who are a really close group, made me welcome from day one.”
Smith arrived at the Phoenix after having his contract with Gold Coast United abruptly cancelled, which made the 1-0 win over the Queensland side on Sunday all the sweeter.
Smith also said he owed a debt of gratitude to former Phoenix keeper Glen Moss, who is now playing for Gold Coast.
“All the players were gutted for me when I was told I was no longer needed at United,” Smith said.
“Glen kindly contacted Ricki and suggested I was worth looking at so I didn-t want to let him down either.”
Smith began his career with a few unsuccessful trials in England before spending a season with FC Dallas in the MLS.
He then quit football to spend two years travelling the world and only took it up again with Sydney Olympic “for fun”.
The fun soon took on a serious side as he had a successful season with Olympic and that led to him signing for Gold Coast.
Smith describes his pathway to Wellington as “an interesting” journey but he would now like to settle down for a while.
