Soccer: Smeltz chases Turkish deal

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz. Photo / NZ Herald

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz has embarked on a second bid further his soccer career outside the A-League this season, with Turkish club Genclerbirligi SK firming as his next possible destination.

Smeltz left for Turkey today hoping to seal a two-year deal, a month after a shortlived transfer to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng fell through.

Gold Coast have already reached an agreement in principle with the Turkish Super League club, but the 29-year-old still needs to finalise contract discussions in the capital Ankara and pass a medical.

The top scorer in the A-League for the past two seasons, Smeltz has again exercised a get-out clause in his contract with Gold Coast.

After returning from World Cup duty in South Africa, Smeltz set his sights on Asia but after less than a week in China he decided his wife and two children would be unable to settle there.

He returned for the start of the A-League season and scored twice in the second round match against Wellington Phoenix, his club before he headed to Surfers Paradise for the 2009-10 season.

Gold Coast management have never attempted to block an overseas move for Smeltz.

Chief executive Clive Mensink said the transfer process was in its "early stages" but he wished Smeltz well should the deal proceed as expected over the next 72 hours.

"Naturally, we will be sorry to see Shane go, but we are pleased that he may now be able to pursue his dream of playing with a major overseas club," Mensink said.

"Shane's been the subject of constant transfer speculation since he returned from China, but to his credit he has remained focused on his job at Gold Coast United, which was illustrated by his tremendous performance in Wellington recently."

Before flying out Smeltz said he appreciated the understanding of Gold Coast's owner Clive Palmer, Mensink and coach Miron Bleiberg.

"They've all been fantastic with me since I returned from China. I thank them for everything they've done and all their support," he said.

- NZPA