30 Facts About Shane Smeltz

Shane Edward Smeltz was born on 29 September 1981 and is a New Zealand former professional footballer.

Shane Smeltz played mostly in the A-League from 2007 onwards, with the exception of brief stints with Genclerbirligi in Turkey and Kedah FA in Malaysia.

Shane Smeltz ended his professional playing career with Indonesian team Borneo FC, before returning to the sport at a semi-professional level.

Shane Smeltz is the all-time second-highest goalscorer in the A-League and was the top-goalscorer for Gold Coast United.

Shane Smeltz scored 24 goals in 58 international appearances for New Zealand and played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Shane Smeltz was born in Goppingen, West Germany to ethnic German parents with New Zealand citizenship.

In November 1987, at the age of six, Shane Smeltz moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, where he pursued a career in football through the Queensland Academy of Sport and was brought up for the remainder of his adolescent years while holding a New Zealand visa.

Shane Smeltz was granted dual-citizenship at the age of 23, becoming a dual-citizen of New Zealand and Australia.

Shane Smeltz attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School on the Gold Coast during his teenage years and was classmates with future professional surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.

Shane Smeltz played for a variety of amateur and semi-professional Australian clubs before he played a brief five match spell for Mansfield Town in the English Football League Two in 2005.

Shane Smeltz played the following season for Halifax Town in the Conference National.

Shane Smeltz returned to New Zealand in 2007, signing a two-year deal with the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.

On 8 August 2009, Shane Smeltz scored his club's first goal in their first A-League game against Brisbane Roar.

On 12 July 2010, after a stellar season with Gold Coast United, it was announced Shane Smeltz had agreed to terms with Chinese club Shandong Luneng on a two-year contract subject to passing a medical.

On 17 July 2010, it was announced that Shane Smeltz had "changed his mind about China and decided to return home", just five days into his contract.

On 20 March 2011 it was announced that Perth Glory and Shane Smeltz signed a three-year contract worth A$4.1 million with the A-League club as a marquee.

On 18 May 2014, it was announced that Shane Smeltz would be parting ways with Perth Glory after three years at the club, to join Sydney FC on a one-year deal.

On 18 December 2016, Shane Smeltz returned to New Zealand, signing with Wellington Phoenix until the end of the season.

On 9 April 2017, Shane Smeltz joined Indonesian club side Borneo in the Liga 1.

Shane Smeltz subsequently signed with NPL Queensland team Gold Coast United in January 2020.

Shane Smeltz has played for the under-20, under-23 and senior New Zealand national teams.

Shane Smeltz scored his first goal for the All Whites, an away friendly on 25 April 2006, against Chile.

In that game Shane Smeltz became the first AFC Wimbledon player to win international honours, and the first to become an international goalscorer.

On 19 November 2007, following his impressive form with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and consistent performances for the All Whites, Shane Smeltz was voted New Zealand footballer of the year, ahead of FA Premier League star Ryan Nelsen and Celtic striker Chris Killen.

In December 2008, Shane Smeltz was named Oceania federation player of 2007.

Shane Smeltz travelled to South Africa as part of the New Zealand squad for both the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup Finals.

Shane Smeltz scored a goal at the latter against 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Nelspruit, making him the first ever A-League player to score in the World Cup Finals.

Shane Smeltz was part of the New Zealand men's team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Shane Smeltz scored his last international goal in a 2015 friendly against Myanmar.

Shane Smeltz was a part of the New Zealand squad that played in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.