Four goals in two NSW Premier League games has convinced Bleiberg that the English-born 25-year-old is just as good as he was when invited to train on the Glitter Strip in late 2010. 

Last year, as a Super League player with Fraser Park, the unknown Smith was recommended to Bleiberg by Sydney based agent Ante Ailovic.

Smith, who moved to the US when he was young and was later signed by FC Dallas in the MLS, trained with United for a week and impressed.

However with a large number of visa players already at his disposal, Bleiberg suggested the player step up to the NSW competition and promised to re-evaluate the situation this year.

Last weekend, Smith scored his fourth goal in two games for unbeaten Olympic.

And with Central Coast scouts watching on, Bleiberg saw enough and duly agreed to sign the former NSW Super League player of the year.

“I was asked to have a look at this player last year. I hadn’t heard of him but he impressed immediately,” said Ailovic to au.fourfourtwo.com.

“He can play as a striker or just in behind. He went from Super League [one league below NSW Premier League] to training with Gold Coast and didn’t look out of place.

“Now he’s scored four goals in two games for Olympic and proven himself again. And wait till you see his jump. He’s phenomenal how he can hang in the air.

“He’s nicknamed ‘Alex Jordan’.”

Smith told au.fourfourtwo.com that the A-League was what he’d been working towards since landing in the country three years ago.

“I’d come here on holiday with a girlfriend and loved the place. So after I graduated from University in the States I decided I didn’t want to get a real job so moved to Cairns," he explained in his Texan accent. 

“I moved to Cairns, didn’t know anyone, met some people on the Esplanade and played some football.

“From that I met a new girlfriend and moved to Sydney. I joined Fraser Park really just for fun and then Ante [Ailovic] sent me up to Gold Coast and it’s developed from there.”

Smith said that basketball was a sport he’d played as a junior and it’s responsible for his ability to out-jump defenders and hang in the air.

He added: “It’s been five years since I last played professionally [at Dallas] and I can’t wait to join Gold Coast.

"Miron’s a great coach. It’s just great to be around people on that level.”