COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Friday, January 10, 2014) – Rapids midfielder Jamie Smith, a Scottish international whose club career included Celtic and Aberdeen in Scotland and ADO Den Haag in Holland before coming to Colorado in 2009, has announced his retirement from professional soccer. Smith, 33, will immediately join the Colorado Rapids Academy coaching staff, working primarily with the Rapids Under-18 Team.

“Jamie was one of the most skilled players ever to wear a Colorado Rapids shirt, and we would like to congratulate him on a fine career,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “Our fans have loved watching Jamie play, and we’re thrilled that the Colorado soccer community will continue to benefit from his presence now that we’ve added him to our youth coaching staff.”

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“While stepping away from the game as a player is difficult, I’m excited for this new challenge and the opportunity to remain with the Rapids and KSE,” said Smith. “I have enjoyed my time in Colorado, and I want to thank all the fans for their support. Winning MLS Cup in 2010 was a highlight of my career, and now I hope I can help develop the next generation of players to win another cup.”

“Jamie has worked with our youth players throughout his career here, he is a Colorado Rapids guy and knows what we want and how we want to get there,” said Rapids Senior Director of Youth Development Brian Crookham. “He will be a tremendous addition to our staff.”

A native of Alexandria, Scotland, Smith signed with the Rapids in mid-2009 before leading the club with eight assists in 22 matches in 2010, helping the Rapids win the MLS Cup. He played 20 regular season games in 2011 but suffered an ACL tear in the playoffs, which forced him to miss most of 2012, playing 10 matches at the end of the season and scoring twice. In 2013, Smith made six appearances (one start), scoring the Rapids’ first goal of the season, a curling, left-footed effort against Philadelphia on March 10 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In his MLS career, Smith played 62 games (39 starts), scoring seven goals and adding 13 assists.

Prior to coming to MLS, Smith played five years at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, scoring 21 goals in 105 appearances. He played one season with ADO Den Haag in Holland in 2004-05. A product of the Celtic youth system in Glasgow, Smith played for the Scottish powerhouse from 1997-2004, playing 72 matches and helping the club reach the UEFA Cup Final in 2003. In that same year, he made a pair of appearances for the Scottish National Team, playing against Ireland and Austria in international friendly matches.

Colorado holds the 11th overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, to take place on January 16 in Philadelphia, and the Rapids will open preseason in late January. The Rapids season starts on March 15 at New York Red Bulls, with the Home Opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the Portland Timbers on March 22. For more information on the club, or to purchase season tickets, visit www.ColoradoRapids.com or call 303-825-GOAL.