Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United promotion hero Michael Smith snapped up by Mansfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United promotion hero Michael Smith has found a new home
Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United promotion-winner Michael Smith has returned to League One with a move to Mansfield Town.
The 34-year-old is a familiar figure in different pockets of South Yorkshire, counting Wednesday, Rotherham and Barnsley among his former clubs.
He was promoted from the third tier with Rotherham on three separate occasions, playing a key role in each of the successful campaigns.
The imposing frontman then fired Wednesday back into the Championship in 2023, contributing 17 goals to the promotion-winning campaign.
He even played a small part in Barnsley’s promotion from League One during the 2015/16 season, making 13 league appearances for the Reds.
Michael Smith makes League One return
After a season in the Championship with Preston North End, Smith has dropped back into a division he knows incredibly well to join Mansfield. The Stags have landed Smith on a free transfer and handed him a two-year deal.
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough said: “We were a little bit surprised Michael was available. He gives us such a different option to the strikers we currently have.
“He’s a proven goalscorer at this level and I think he will be a very good asset in both penalty areas.
“Michael complements our forwards very well and we’re delighted to bring in two experienced strikers so far.”
Among familiar faces
Smith has added even more experience to a Mansfield forward department that already contains ex-Barnsley star David McGoldrick and former Leeds United man Tyler Roberts.
Elsewhere in Mansfield’s ranks are the likes of ex-Barnsley goalkeeper Liam Roberts, former Doncaster Rovers defender Kyle Knoyle and Sheffield United academy product Louis Reed.
Mansfield are due to face Barnsley on December 26 and then have their first meeting with Wednesday on December 29.