Sunderland announced that defender Tommy Smith has left the club following the expiry of his short-term deal.
He joined the Wearsiders in February, having spent much of his career with Ipswich Town. His last regular football came in the colours of MLS side Colorado Rapids, before the move to the Stadium of Light. Sadly, he didn’t get to show what he could do in red and white; the season was curtailed just a few weeks after signing without the New Zealand international making a single appearance.
“Everyone at SAFC would like to wish Tommy the very best for the future,” the club statement read as Smith departed. His short stint contained no minutes and left some Sunderland fans scratching their heads as he departed.
His departure might interest Portsmouth, who were looking to securing his signature prior to him leaving the MLS, but then again with the current crisis, things may have changed dramatically.
Twitter was awash with amusing comments about the defender, who has also played for Stevenage, Brentford and Colchester in his career. Some are not entirely sure who he is, whilst others have commented it must have been the easiest short-term contract any player has ever been on, getting paid to watch television.
Here are the best of their thoughts from social media.
We’ll never forget him. True legend
— Safc_Ha’WAY THE LADS (@Safc_HAWAY) May 29, 2020
Never put a foot wrong in the red & white shirt of Sunderland 👏
— Steve Beckwith (@becksmetz) May 29, 2020
Must be nice getting paid to watch tv
— safc (@mason20192) May 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/JoeHay_/status/1266376341554749443
what an impact he had this season
— daniel crisp (@_danielcrisp) May 29, 2020
Im gonna miss him so much. He was such a good player for us
— Owen 🔴⚪️ (@dowen0wen) May 29, 2020
what was the point in signing him?
— Jack (@jacksafcscott) May 29, 2020
Might get a Tommy Smith tattoo for what he's done for us over the years
— Matty 🇨🇷 (@MattySunlun) May 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/inrosswetrust/status/1266383530533289995
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