Tommy Smith has dipped his toes into punditry with Radio Stoke this season while working to regain full fitness.
Former Stoke City full-back Tommy Smith has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32 due to injury.
Smith suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in October 2023 and has been unable to recover in time to continue playing. Although he will remain at Middlesbrough to complete his rehabilitation, he has accepted that he will not return to the pitch for the club, where he was under contract until next summer.
After leaving Stoke in 2022, Smith revitalized his career at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick. He had previously made 106 appearances over three seasons with the Potters, having been signed by Nathan Jones from Huddersfield to play as a flying right-back. However, he spent most of his time at Stoke under Michael O’Neill.
Smith played a key role in Middlesbrough’s rise up the Championship table, helping them reach the play-offs in the 2022/23 season. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short by an Achilles injury sustained against Birmingham early in the following season.
During his time on the sidelines, he transitioned into punditry, working as a co-commentator for Radio Stoke’s coverage of Stoke City and appearing as a studio analyst for Championship matches on Sky Sports.
Reflecting on his career in a heartfelt message shared on social media and Middlesbrough’s website, Smith expressed immense pride in his journey.
“Looking back on my 15 years as a professional, it fills me with enormous pride. While it’s very emotional coming to terms with this decision, I can’t help but smile at the amazing people I’ve met, the special memories I’ve made, and everything I’ve achieved in the game,” he wrote.
Smith reminisced about his journey from Manchester City’s academy to playing in the Premier League with Huddersfield, followed by spells at Stoke and Middlesbrough.
“In total, I made 353 career appearances, and I could not have wished for four better football clubs to be part of my footballing journey. I’m eternally grateful for the love and support from everyone connected to all four,” he added.
He concluded by thanking club owners, managers, coaches, teammates, and fans who stood by him throughout his career, expressing his deep appreciation for their unwavering support.
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