All Whites defender Tommy Smith departs Auckland FC

Friday, 18 July 2025

Auckland FC defender Tommy Smith in action during a derby match against Wellington.

Auckland FC have announced the departure of veteran All Whites defender and club vice-captain Tommy Smith.

The 35-year-old centre back has been granted an early release to return to England so he can devote more time to his young family.

Smith was born in Auckland but has spent the vast majority of lengthy professional career in England.

The 56-cap New Zealand international came home to be a part of Auckland’s inaugural season and helped the club create history by topping the regular season table and winning the Premiers’ Plate.

Smith started the season as the third-choice centre back behind Dan Hall and Nando Pijnaker but he was thrust into a bigger role when Hall suffered a broken ankle.

Smith made 25 appearances for Auckland FC, 12 of them as a starter.

“It’s been an incredible year in Auckland, and I was able to lift silverware. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” Smith said.

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“The team, staff and fans made me feel so welcome returning back to Auckland. I’m truly grateful to have played a part in such a special first chapter for this club. It was a difficult decision to leave such a special city.”

Smith’s departure will force Auckland to enter the transfer market and find a new back-up centre back but his experience will be hard to replace.

The veteran defender has played more than 500 games for his club and country throughout his career and was part of the All Whites squad that went undefeated at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Smith is the third notable departure from Auckland’s first-year squad following the release of Colombian forward Neyder Moreno and the expiration of goalkeeper Alex Paulsen’s loan from AFC Bournemouth.

Auckland began pre-season training on July 4 and have their first pre-season friendly against Northern League side West Coast Rangers next Tuesday.

They then face Gold Coast Knights in their Australia Cup debut across the Tasman on July 29.

Auckland will stay in Queensland to play fellow A-League Men club Brisbane Roar in their second pre-season friendly on August 3.