Full name Jamie Smith Name Jamie Smith Spouse Laura Smith Weight 74 kg | Years Team Height 1.73 m Playing position Role Footballer Salary 148,992 USD (2012) | |
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Date of birth (1980-11-20) 20 November 1980 (age 35) Similar People Pablo Mastroeni, Oscar Pareja, Deshorn Brown | ||
James Smith (born 20 November 1980 in Alexandria) is a retired Scottish professional footballer. He spent the majority of his footballing career in Scotland with Aberdeen and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. He was also capped twice by Scotland.
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Early career
Smith started his career with Celtic and was an unused substitute in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, but limited first team opportunities saw him join Dutch club ADO Den Haag where he spent one season.
Aberdeen
He returned to Scotland in season 2005–06 with Aberdeen. In August 2005, Smith struck a late winner as Aberdeen defeated rivals Rangers in a league match for the first time since April 1998, wowing the Aberdeen support in only his third competitive game for the club. He was involved in a car crash along with teammate Michael Hart in July 2007, while on a pre-season tour of Egypt. Smith was treated for concussion, while Hart was unhurt.
In December 2007, Smith played a key role in Aberdeen's victory over Danish team FC Copenhagen in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, scoring two goals in the 4–0 victory that saw Aberdeen through to the last 32 of the competition. Smith's contract at Aberdeen ended at the end of the 2008–09 season and he expressed concern that he had not been offered a contract extension, stating that he may need to look for a new club in summer.
Colorado Rapids
In May 2009, he was given permission to discuss a contract with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. However, Toronto passed on the signing of Smith and he later signed with Colorado Rapids in July 2009. In his first season with the Rapids he played only four games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
On 28 August 2010, Smith scored his first MLS goal two minutes into a match against Houston in which he was named man of the match.
Smith remained with Colorado through the 2012 season. After the conclusion of the 2012 season, Colorado declined the 2013 option on Smith's contract and he entered the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Smith became a free agent after he went undrafted in both rounds of the draft.
Smith was re-signed by Colorado on 8 February 2013.
On 10 January 2014, Smith announced his retirement from playing and joined Colorado Rapids academy coaching staff.
Personal life
His brother-in-law, Allan Sieczkowski, is the lead singer of the Scottish rock band Little Eye. Colorado Rapids used their song Burgundy Sky as their official anthem to reflect on their famous burgundy kits.