If there’s been one beneficiary of Marc Janko’s departure from Sydney FC, it’s Shane Smeltz.
Smeltz, who spent most of his debut season with the Sky Blues playing second fiddle to the gun Austrian marquee, has signed a new two-year deal that will keep the 33-year-old New Zealand international at the club until the end of the 2016-17 season.
It comes days after Sydney FC officially let Janko go on the basis he would miss too many games playing for Austria over the next 12 months.
Coach Graham Arnold has been keen to secure his depth up front to cater for the loss, and will be relieved to lock Smeltz in despite heavy interest from Malaysia.
“I’m thrilled and excited to be staying with Sydney for another two seasons and I’m looking forward to seeing this squad build on what has been a successful year,” Smeltz said.
“It’s well known that I had other offers on the table, but my aim is to win trophies and I believe with the squad this club is putting together for next season I have the best chance of winning something here.”
Smeltz, who worked hard to regain full fitness after years of injury woes, is the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the A-League.
Despite starting in only nine games this season because of Janko’s sizzling form and 16 goals, the 33-year-old still managed to score eight goals in his 21 appearances.
Arnold has also signed Senegalese defender Jacques Faty for another season, days after midfielder Mickael Tavares penned his own two-year deal.
The cousins came to the club as injury replacements but have since played a large part in the Sky Blues’ recent success.
The signings secure most of Arnold’s first XI, but Milos Dimitrijevic and Bernie Ibini are still off contract, with Newcastle understood to be in pursuit of Ibini.
Arnold said he was delighted Smeltz had decided to stay with the club.
“Shane had a difficult 12 months before he came to us but has progressed well over this year and we believe he is now back to his best,” he said.
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