Birmingham are eyeing Alan Smith on a summer Bosman after failing to get him off MK Dons.
The former Leeds and Manchester United striker has just joined the League One side until the end of the season, when his Newcastle contract runs out.
Blues management duo Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood worked with Smith, now a midfielder, at St James’ Park and like his aggressive edge.
But Smith had already given his word to Dons and refused to break his pledge.
Alan Smith has today officially been unveiled to the local and national media after completing his loan move to MK Dons from Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
The former Manchester United and Leeds player, who has spent time playing up front as a striker and in midfield, has stated his intent on making history at stadiummk and he believes the current squad at the Dons has what it takes to get into the Championship.
The switch from the Premier League to League 1 may have raised a few eyebrows amongst players, pundits and supporters alike but 31-year-old Smith says he wanted a ‘challenge’ and the selling point for him was they stylish brand of football played by Karl Robinson’s team.
Speaking in his press conference Smith said: “I’ve seen MK Dons play a few times and I know a few of the players, I have been very impressed with how the team is set-up, how they play football and especially the two games against QPR.
“I would like to thank Newcastle for giving me this chance to come down to a Football Club that’s building for the future. I’m excited, it was a decision that was so easy to make. I’ve not been playing at Newcastle and I’m really looking forward to it
“I had other offers but I always knew the style of football that is played at MK Dons, I know the manager’s philosophy and how he likes to play football. This Club has got a great future ahead of it, if I can help them on their way and at some point become part of the history of this Club that’s why I’m here.”
Question marks about his fitness, having been sidelined previously with a broken leg and ankle problems, were put the bed as soon as they were addressed by the media.
Smith, having completed his first training session with his team mates this morning, is expected to be part of the squad for tomorrow night’s League 1 home game against Sheffield Wednesday.
With a wealth of Premier League and Champions League experience behind him, and promotion from the Championship under his belt, the Leeds-born man believes he has plenty to offer the Dons including a real passion for the game.
He added: “It’s a challenge. I think this Club has potential, with or without me here, to get promoted this season and looking beyond that you have seen the likes of Southampton do well since they got promoted and Swansea, all trying to play the right way.
I hope I can bring experience, hopefully my enthusiasm can rub off on the rest of the lads because they’re a great bunch of lads. The Gaffer and the Chairman have established a team that probably needs to get out of this League to keep the players because there are some very good players at this Club. I trained with the lads this morning and the standard is good.
“I wouldn’t have forgiven myself for walking away, I think a lot is made of it. Injuries are injuries, they are more psychological, in hindsight I think missing that time of playing football gives you more hunger to want to get back to basics and play football.
“As a kid you just want to play football, not because it will give you a certain type of life or success, you play football because that is something you have always wanted to do. This Football Club allows the lads to do that, to go out, pass, move and play football like we did when we were kids with a confidence and belief in the manager who has that philosophy.”
The full press conference will be available on MK Dons Player soon.
source: MK Dons Official Website
Leeds United could step up their interest in bringing Alan Smith back to his hometown club in the summer.
Smith,31, has joined League One side MK Dons on loan fromNewcastleuntil the end of the season and Leeds managerSimon Graysonhas confirmed he will be monitoring the striker-turned-midfielder’s progress.
Grayson told the club’s official website: “There’s been a lot of speculation about us and Alan Smith. The truth is that we discussed the matter more in the summer than now.
“We spoke about him many times and weighed up all sorts of things, including the response of the fans. In the end, the reason we didn’t move was purely a footballing decision. Alan has been training, but he hasn’t been playing games, and that was really the deciding factor.
“The MK move will be great for him because the best thing he can do is play games. He’s out of contract with Newcastle at the end of the season and we will definitely be keeping an eye on him over the next few weeks and months.”
Smith, who scored on his debut for Leeds atLiverpoolin 1998, upset Whites fans in 2004 when he joinedManchester Unitedfor £7million after publicly claiming he could never sign for their arch-rivals.
source: Sky Sports
By Sportsmail Reporter
Alan Smith has joined MK Dons on loan from Newcastle for the rest of the season.
The 31-year-old former Leeds and Manchester United midfielder has made just two substitute appearances for the Magpies this season and has now joined the promotion-chasing npower League One club.
Newcastle confirmed in a statement that Smith would be available to make his debut when the Dons face Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
The loan arrangement also contains a provision for Smith to play for the Dons in the play-offs. They are currently fifth in the League One table.
source: Daily Mail
Milton Keynes Dons are delighted to announce the arrival of Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith on loan until the end of the season.
The former Manchester United and Leeds star met up with Dons boss Karl Robinson at stadiummk to put pen to paper on Sunday afternoon while his new team mates continued their preparations for the League 1 home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.
Smith, joining on a standard loan deal which will make him eligible for the play-offs if required, began his career as a striker but during his time at Manchester United and Newcastle he has occupied a central midfield role.
Boss Robinson had revealed earlier this month that he had his eyes on a ‘marquee signing’ and with Smith’s illustrious career record he believes his has stuck to his word.
Speaking to mkdons.com Robinson said: “Alan Smith is a player of great quality and I am delighted we have been able to get this deal over the line. He has played for three of the great English teams in Leeds, Manchester United and Newcastle, and has a Premier League, Carling Cup and Championship title to his name.
“His talent is undoubted and the experience he will bring into the dressing room is unrivalled. I truly believe adding his character to our team could be the difference in helping us achieve our promotion ambitions.
“This is certainly a signing that will raise a few people’s eyebrows, but having spoken to Alan I know he is determined to help make MK Dons a Championship Club. I am really excited about seeing Alan Smith in an MK Dons shirt, he will fit in to our style of football and will add another element to our front four.
“It would like to publically thank Alan Pardew and Newcastle United for going the extra mile to help us complete this deal.”
Yorkshire-born Leeds made a name for himself in the Premier League as an 18-year-old with a goal scoring debut against Liverpool in 1998. Smith’s six-year spell at his beloved Leeds saw him score 56 goals in 228 appearances, and he was part of the Leeds side to reach the Champions League Semi-Finals in 2001.
In 2004, following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League, Smith made a controversial switch to Manchester United for a £7million transfer fee.
During his three years at Old Trafford Smith won the Premier League title and the Carling Cup, but his time with the Red Devils was marred by a horrific broken leg and dislocated ankle sustained in the FA Cup against Liverpool in 2006. In total Smith was sidelined for 11 months due to the injury.
After regaining full fitness Smith made the switch to Newcastle in August 2007, signing for an undisclosed fee, and he went on to be a key member of the Magpies’ Championship winning side in 2009/10. This season chances at Newcastle have been limited which has led to Smith making the switch to the Dons to boost their quest for promotion.
Smith will wear the number 11 shirt at MK Dons.
source: MK Dons Official Website
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith has joined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has spent four-and-a-half-years on Tyneside since signing in August 2007 from Manchester United, and has made 94 appearances for the Magpies.
Despite being part of the squad which was relegated from the top flight in 2009, Smith played a key role in getting Newcastle back into the Premier League at the first attempt.
However, Smith has found chances hard to come by this season and has been limited to just two substitute performances - against Fulham back in August, and away at Norwich in December.
So the former England international has joined Milton Keynes on a temporary basis and will be available to make his debut when the Dons face Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
As part of the loan agreement, Smith will be availble to appear in the play-offs, should Milton Keynes - who are currently fifth - remain in the top six.
source: http://www.nufc.co.uk
