The career of one of New Zealand’s most legendary goalscorers has come to an end after All Whites striker Shane Smeltz announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old signs off on an 18-year career that featured spells in New Zealand, Australia, England, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as 24 goals in 58 ‘A’ internationals for his country.

The most famous of these strikes was undoubtedly his effort in a historic 1-1 draw with defending champions Italy at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in which Smeltz played all three matches as the All Whites went through their campaign undefeated.

“It’s difficult to know when the right time is,” he says.

“I could potentially drag my career out a little longer but I’ve got a transition I’ve had in mind for a number of years. I had a long career in the A-League and a great international career. It’s all about timing and this is the right time.”

The German-born Kiwi grew up in Australia and took his first footballing steps with Gold Coast City, Brisbane Strikers and Adelaide City before starring with Napier City Rovers in his homeland.

He then tried his luck in the lower leagues in England with Mansfield Town, AFC Wimbledon and Halifax Town but it wasn’t until 2007 that he was thrust into the spotlight, scoring twice for the All Whites in a shock 2-2 draw against a Wales team that included English Premier League superstars Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy.

Smeltz went on to star for the Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United, Perth Glory and Sydney FC, picking up the Johnny Warren Medal as the A-League’s best player in 2008-09 and becoming the second-highest scorer in the competition’s history with 92 goals in 190 games.

He is also second on the All Whites’ all-time goal-scoring list, sharing that mantle with Chris Wood with only Vaughan Coveny (29 goals) ahead.

After ending his club career with Borneo FC in Indonesia, Smeltz is now living on the Gold Coast with his wife and two daughters and is planning on embarking on a new career in coaching.

“I’m not just going into coaching to take up a job,” he says.

“I go into it with drive and ambition which I always had as a player. I’m excited and really looking forward to it.”