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Shane Smeltz celebrates - Source: Photosport -
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All Whites striker Shane Smeltz will return to A-League club
Gold Coast United just five days into his two-year contract with
Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported today that Smeltz had decided it
would be impossible for wife Nikki and his two children to settle
in Jinan, 400km south of Beijing.
Gold Coast announced last Sunday they had agreed to sell the New
Zealand international to Shandong, who sit third in the Chinese
Super League after 10 matches, reportedly for $300,000.
Smeltz has been among the A-League's best strikers since making his
debut for Wellington Phoenix in 2007, netting 40 goals in 65
appearances. He scored 19 goals in United's debut season to easily
win the league's golden boot honours.
The 28-year-old's move to China followed an impressive campaign for
New Zealand at the World Cup in South Africa, where he scored in
the 1-1 draw with reigning champions Italy.
A Football Federation Australia source confirmed yesterday that
since Smeltz's international transfer clearance form was never
dispatched by United, he is free to rejoin them.
Smeltz will be free to play for United in their season opener
against Brisbane Roar on August 8.
Gold Coast's boss Clive Palmer yesterday told the Bulletin there
had been "an issue" for Smeltz in China and he was returning
home.
"We are hopeful of retaining him for the coming season... as things
stand, we don't believe we have transferred him and it doesn't look
like we will be either," Palmer said.
Smeltz played with Mansfield Town, Wimbledon and Halifax Town in
England prior to joining the Phoenix.
