Middlesbrough have Tommy Smith as part of their squad currently in Portugal for pre-season training. 

Smith was released by Stoke City at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, despite making 32 appearances last season and registering six assists from right-back.

The 30-year-old is currently a free agent and is available to be picked up ahead of the Championship’s kick-off later this month.

As per a report from Teesside Live, Smith has travelled with Boro for their pre-season training camp in Europe, with Chris Wilder’s squad set to have a week in Portugal as they ramp up preparations for their opening weekend clash with West Brom in the Championship.

Quiz: 20 statements about former Middlesbrough players – Are they true or false?

Smith had three seasons with Stoke in the Championship, making over 100 appearances for the Potters in that time.

Prior to that, the right-back was on the books with Huddersfield Town, who he captained to promotion in the 2016/17 campaign under David Wagner.

Between 2013 and 2019, Smith made 200 appearances for Huddersfield across all competitions.

The Verdict 

It’ll be interesting to see if Boro offer Smith a deal after his training with the club over the course of the summer so far.

Isiah Jones looks to have the right wing-back berth nailed down heading into 2022/23, but it’s important to have cover across a tough 46-game campaign.

Smith offers that flexibility between a wing-back system and flat back-four, with the 30-year-old comfortable in both systems. You also wonder whether, at a push, he could be used as a right-sided centre-back.

One other major plus of potentially bringing Smith in is his experience. He’s played over 300 career games and can offer a lot of Championship nous to Wilder’s squad.

Thoughts? Let us know!