Dual Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner Shane Smeltz has confirmed his move to Perth Glory ahead of the upcoming season.
Smeltz signs on as the Glory’s marquee player, but the length of the contract was not revealed. The New Zealand international said that he felt it was the perfect time to join the Glory, who will be the third club he has represented in the league.
“It’s all about timing and I think Perth Glory is heading in the right direction,” Smeltz said. “There’s a fresh look about the club and it’s something I want to be part of.”
“I don’t think one player is going to change everything but I think I can certainly help out.”
A scorer of 49 goals in his time at Wellington Phoenix and Gold Coast, Smeltz has also spent time in China, Turkey and Germany, as well as representing his country at the 2010 FIFA World cup in South Africa.
Glory coach Ian Ferguson said Smeltz was one of the first players on his list of potential recruits.
“He’s a fantastic signing for the club,” he said. “Shane was my first priority, my first target because I knew we had to get a proven goal scorer and that’s what we have done.”
“Shane is the type of forward we missed last season, one who can hold up the ball and bring other players in the game.”
The 29-year-old won the A-League’s Golden Boot in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons while he was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal as the league’s best player in 2009.
