AFC Wimbledon's latest recruit Jack Smith says it was Neal Ardley's vision that convinced him to put pen to paper yesterday [Monday].

The left-back, released by Championship outfit Millwall at the end of last season, is Ardley's eighth signing as he prepares for a new assault on the League Two title.

Thirty-year-old Smith has 242 first team appearances under his belt since starting out at Watford, where he played alongside Ardley and Neil Cox, in 2000.

He signed for Millwall in 2009 after but fell out of favour last season making only nine appearances, including the 2-1 Capital Cup win over the Dons in August - his only win for the Lions in that time.

Ardley told the club's website: "We know Jack well from Watford days and he has played for a lot of his career at a higher level.

"He is deceptively quick and has got a really relaxed, calm way about him. Jack is a very good one-on-one defender and he’s also two-footed.

"He is one of those right footed left-backs – a bit like Jon Meades was for us – who is very good at crossing with his left as well."

Smith said: “I met with Neal last week and he sold the club to me by providing a vision of what he wants to do next season.

"I’m pleased to be a part of it. I’ve missed a week of pre-season training so it was a relief to sign and I can’t wait to play some games hopefully.”