Smith to leave Salford with 'heavy heart'

Matt Smith was named in the EFL's League Two team of the season

Salford City striker Matt Smith said he will leave the League Two club with a "heavy heart".

Smith has scored 44 goals in 119 appearances for the Ammies since joining from Millwall in January 2022.

That includes a career best of 25 goals this season, beating his previous highest tally of 14 with the Lions in the Championship in the 2019-20 season.

"My time at Salford City has come to an end," the 34-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, wrote in an open letter to the club.

"Whilst I write this with a heavy heart, I’ll always be so grateful to everyone at the club, none more so than you, the fans, for your incredible support over the last three years."

Salford finished 20th in the league table after last weekend's 2-2 draw at home to Harrogate Town.

Their season, which featured a run of 11 games without a win, was in contrast to the previous campaign in which they were beaten on penalties by Stockport County in the play-off semi-finals.

"I’m so sorry I couldn’t help us to achieve that promotion which was my ultimate aim when I signed," Smith said.

"To come so close last season was a huge blow to me personally."

But Smith's scoring record has helped Salford steer clear of relegation trouble, as only Notts County's Macaulay Langstaff (28) and Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics (25) have more league goals than him in the top four divisions of English football.

"To leave as the club’s all-time leading scorer in the EFL, the third-highest scorer in the country right now, divisional team of the season, and your player of the year makes me very proud," he added.

"I’m going to take some time now to consider my next step, which includes opportunities away from playing."