Cardiff City: Bournemouth full-back Smith joins Bluebirds on loan

Sydney born Brad Smith played for England U20s before switching to play international football for Australia

AFC Bournemouth defender Brad Smith has joined Cardiff City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Australian international Smith, 25, has not played for the Premier League club this season, having been on loan at MLS club Seattle since March.

"We've been looking for a left back to compete with Joe Bennett, somebody that is attack minded, has real pace and energy and can go up and down the pitch," said Cardiff boss Neil Harris.

"Brad ticks the boxes."

Former Liverpool left back Smith joined Bournemouth in 2016 for £3m.

He is the first recruit under Cardiff manager Neil Harris, who added: "We have had to be very patient to get there.

"A couple of times we have been close. We are delighted to get the deal over the line."

'First class' character references

Harris said Smith had trained at Cardiff on Thursday, 30 January, but because of a lack of recent game time a he may have to be patient with his loan recruit.

"His character references and people I have spoken to about him have really been first class that is a huge thing for me moving forward." added Harris.

"We have good characters, good trainers, good lads in the building and he was desperate to come to Cardiff."

Smith was born in Australia, moving to England as a teenager to join Liverpool's academy.

He made five appearances for the Merseyside club and also spent over a year on loan at Swindon.

He has won 22 Australia caps, most recently in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win away against Jordan in November.

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