Just months after trialing with Kaizer Chiefs, striker Darren Smith has completed a return to Finland where he has joined top-flight side FC Inter Turku.
Finnish Veikkausliiga side FC Inter Turku have announced the signing of South African striker Darren Smith on a free transfer with the 26-year-old penning a two-year contract with the club.
Kick Off has been informed that Smith arrived in Finland on Tuesday before completing the formalities which saw him return to the country where he previously won the Ykkönen (second division) Golden Boot award with EIF.
He later also represented top-flight side FC Honka, with whom he featured in the UEFA Europa Conference League as well.
Smith most recently turned out for FAR Rabat in Morocco and helped his side win the domestic cup competition before returning to South Africa, where he trialled with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in August, and he reveals that he is looking forward to returning to Finland.
"It's great to be back in Finland," he told the club's website. "I always knew when I left the last time that I would come back here. It was only a matter of time, but I am very happy that it happened so soon.
"Inter has always been a club that I have admired. The operation here is professional and the facilities are really top class, I am happy to have the opportunity here."
Inter head coach Jarrko Wiss added, "This is a really fast attacker who knows how to time his runs between the lines. He finishes with high quality and is an enthusiastic presser.
"He features simple link play with few touches. Finland is familiar to him and the series is familiar. It's really great to have a long preseason with him after a difficult season in Morocco."
FC Inter Turku are one-time Veikkausliga champions and two-time winners of the Finnish Cup, and ended fifth in the league standings during 2022. The club was also formerly home to current Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, who was in charge between 2019 and 2021.
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