Their NPL Queensland season is barely finished but FNQ FC Heat  have secured a major signing for their next campaign - with former A-League player Alex Smith agreeing to join the club.

The 28 year-old comes to Cairns with an impressive resume which includes stints in the United State’s Major League Soccer competition as well as the A-League with Gold Coast United and Wellington Phoenix.

Smith recently finished a stint with Victorian Premier League club Oakleigh Cannons and said he was looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career with Heat.

"I'm very excited," Smith explained. "I've been looking at my options and saw that Cairns had a NPL club and made contact with Chris (Collins, FNQ FC Technical Director).”

"We spoke about the club and the vision they had and straight away I knew this is something I'm interested in," Smith continued.

Smith believes the opportunity will provide the chance to gain further experience in a reputable league and push his claims to get back into the A-League.

A truly versatile footballer, Smith caught the eye of A-League scouts with his incredible goal-scoring rate as a striker in the NSW Premier League with Sydney Olympic.

He signed with Gold Coast United in2011 and moved to Wellington to play in the Phoenix's midfield that same year, making 40 A-League appearances.

"I think I've shown I can fill almost any role on the park. I'm happy to play the number nine role but I think I have great strength linking play in the midfield.

"I win my fair share of headers, that's for sure," Smith stated.

His skills will be put to good use off the field too with Smith also taking on a role as Assistant Coach with the club, passing on his experience at the professional level to the next generation Far North Queensland footballers.

"I'm very keen on the mentoring side of things, helping some of the young talent reach the highest level," Smith said.

"I'm just finishing up my C-licence (FFA endorsed coaching licence) and I feel I can use my experience in youth development. Even things outside of the game, like media interviews and contracts; some of the players stepping up may not have much of an idea about that sort of stuff."

FNQ FC's acclaimed community engagement programme has impressed Smith who's keen to continue his charity work.

While in New Zealand, Smith headed an organisation which donated football boots to the under privileged -something he says may work in Far North Queensland.

"It'd be great to get out and bring football to the remote areas in North Queensland. That's something I'm really keen about -using the sport to help and inspire kids."

Smith is expected to arrive in Cairns with his family from Melbourne by the end of the September.

You can watch video highlights of Alex Smith on FNQ FC Heat’s Youtube channel.

 

Words & Image: FNQ FC Heat