TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan extension
The Seattle Sounders have reached an agreement with AFC Bournemouth to extend the loan of fullback Brad Smith to the end of the 2018 MLS season, the club announced Wednesday morning.
The 25-year-old Australian is second on the Sounders with five assists in 19 appearances this season.
"We're very pleased to have worked out a deal with Bournemouth to keep Brad here through the current campaign," Sounders FC general manager & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey said in a statement. "Brad has performed admirably since he arrived in Seattle and is an important piece of our current squad, so we're excited to have him here as we approach the homestretch of the season.”
Smith arrived in Seattle on a year-long loan Aug. 8, 2018. He made an instant impact, starting all six appearances for Sounders FC and recorded an assist in a 3-1 win vs. Sporting Kansas City. He was forced to miss the last month of the season and postseason after suffering a hamstring injury.
“Brad has been a great fit in our team since he arrived in 2018, so I'm very happy that he'll be with us through the end of the 2019 season," Sounders FC coach Brian Schmetzer said in a statement. "In addition to his on-field quality, he's been a valuable member of our locker room and has meshed well with the group. He will be an important piece to the team as we try and close out the season as MLS Cup champion."
Prior to joining the Sounders, Smith spent two seasons at Bournemouth, where he made 11 appearances across all competitions, including five in Premier League play. He came up through the Liverpool youth ranks after moving from Penrith, Australia as a teenager. He made his first team debut in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on December 23, 2013.
He was loaned to League One side Swindon Town in 2014-2015 before returning to the Merseyside for the 2015-2016 campaign, making 10 appearances across all competitions and scoring his first professional goal for Liverpool in a 2-2 draw with Exeter City in the FA Cup on January 8, 2016. Smith also made an appearance in Europa League play, a scoreless draw with FC Sion on December 10, 2015.
Smith has made 20 appearances for the Australian national team, most recently appearing as a substitute in a 1-0 international friendly loss to South Korea June 7.
"We've been very happy with Brad's performance since he arrived here last August and we're excited he'll be staying through the season," Sounders FC sporting director & vice president of soccer Chris Henderson said in a statement. "His athleticism and quality have been crucial to our play this season, and he has quickly emerged as one of the better fullbacks in our league."
