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Tommy Smith, Mata sign with Auckland FC

Updated: Jun 4

Tommy Smith and Max Mata are two New Zealand internationals signed to the Auckland FC franchise
Experienced All White Tommy Smith is a key signing for Auckland FC in their debut A-League season. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Former All Whites captain Tommy Smith has signed with new A-League club Auckland FC as they add to their contracted players.


The 34-year-old centre back has 51 caps for the All Whites and played 247 games for Ipswich Town in England's second-tier Championship.


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He comes to the club after a short spell with A-League side Macarthur FC.


Also signed is 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, where he had a large fanbase and scored plenty of goals.


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 now has six players on its books, all of them New Zealanders after the initial four players were announced last week.


Jesse Randall, Michael Woud, Francis De Vries and Cam Howieson were the first players signed.


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