<
>

Shane Smeltz leaves Phoenix to join Indonesia's Pusamania Borneo FC

Wellington Phoenix have farewelled striker Shane Smeltz following his short second stint with the A-League club.

All Whites veteran Smeltz, 35, has signed with Indonesian club Pusamania Borneo FC as a marquee player.

A Phoenix foundation player, he returned midway through the current season and scored three goals in 12 appearances.

Once the seventh-placed club's hopes of making the playoffs finished on Saturday night, Smeltz asked club management to be released ahead of the final round.

He flew home to Australia on Sunday to prepare for his Indonesian stint.

"The opportunity has happened quickly as can happen in football," Smeltz said.

"I was totally focused on the Phoenix and had we made the playoffs I would have stayed till we finished playing."

Smeltz is the club's all-time third highest goalscorer, with 24 goals in 51 appearances.

His 92 A-League goals is second only to Melbourne Victory front man Besart Berisha's 99.