The Colorado Rapids continue to stockpile New Zealand internationals.
Defender Tommy Smith is the latest to join the fold, the Rapids announced Monday. He will play under former New Zealand national team manager and new Rapids manager Anthony Hudson.
The 27-year-old central defender comes to the Rapids from Ipswich Town of the English Championship — the second-tier league in England. The Rapids said Smith will require an international roster spot and will be added to the roster once they receive his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
Earlier this offseason, the Rapids added New Zealand internationals Kip Colvey and Deklan Wynne.
“Bringing in someone of Tommy’s caliber along the back line was a top priority for us this offseason,” Rapids executive vice president and general manager, Pádraig Smith, said in a news release. “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 preseason training camp.”
Smith came up through the Ipswich Town academy, signing a contract with the club in 2007 and appearing in 267 games across all competitions. He scored 23 goals and 11 assists in his Ipswich Town career.
The 6-foot-2, 181-pound center back represented England’s youth national teams, but switched to New Zealand in 2010, going on to appear in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
“It’s a very exciting move for me both personally and professionally,” Smith said in a news release. “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.”
Smith is the Rapids’ seventh offseason signing, along with wing backs Edgar Castillo, Colvey and Wynne, midfielders Johan Blomberg and Jack Price and forward Jack McBean.
The Rapids report to training camp on Monday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and will travel to Arizona on Wednesday for training camp.
The club’s first competitive match is at home on Feb. 20 against Toronto FC in CONCACAF Champions League action.
