Literally putting his best foot forward has earned Bermudian Khano Smith his first professional soccer contract.

The young striker has signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Dynamo club in the USA. The Greensboro, North Carolina, outfit competes in Division Three of the United Soccer League (USL); the third-highest league behind the MLS (Major League Soccer) and the A League.

For Smith - who graduates in May from Lees-McRae College in North Carolina - it was a case of his skills doing the talking as Dynamo coach Joe Brown snapped up the lethal goal-scorer without even seeing him in action.

"It was really word of mouth. The coach there (Brown) spoke to my coach and coaches whose teams I played against and found out about me that way. He took their word, I guess," said Smith speaking to The Royal Gazette yesterday. "I was very surprised. I didn't think he would offer me a contract without seeing me play."

However, apart from the high reviews he obviously received, this player was his own best advertisement. In three years at Lees-McRae (the Bobcats), his record is: 47 goals, 19 assists and 113 points. He led the Bobcats to the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) championship last season and was named to the 2002 CVAC All-Conference First Team and First Team All-American for a second consecutive year.

In addition, he was ranked 21st nationally in 2002 and was CVAC Player of the Year for 2001 and 2002.

"Khano's pedigree and background are what attracted us to him. He was a top player in his league.

"We're going to be his first step into the pros because he has the attributes, size, speed and skills to make it at the next level. We are looking forward to having him on our team," Brown told The Mountain Times, a North Carolina newspaper.

Smith (22) will want to live up to his impressive billing at his first team practice tomorrow.

"I think I am ready for it. It's always been what I really wanted to do so hopefully this is just the start. I feel that working with the Dynamos is a great opportunity.

"I would like to play at the highest level possible, wherever my potential takes me. I guess it's all on me now. I've got my foot in the door and it's up to me how far I want to go," said the footballer from Morgan's Road, Warwick.

Head coach at Lees-McRae, Adrian Blewitt, lauded Smith's achievements and is confident the latter will progress successfully.

"We are very proud of Khano and his accomplishments at Lees-McRae College. It makes our players, coaching staff and faculty very proud when one of our own can pursue his dreams and make a career out of it.

"This opportunity will provide Khano with the necessary path to play at higher levels within the professional game once he shows off his talents. He has been the perfect student-athlete and we wish him well," said Blewitt of the sports-management major.

Smith, who plays for Dandy Town locally, is the son of former national netballer Deborah Smith and Town's technical director Wayne Baxter. He attended Warwick High School for two years before transferring to the USA to finish high school and go to college.

Though moving into a new situation, Smith can take some comfort from the knowledge that there is another Bermudian in his line-up.

C.J. Robinson, now resident in the USA, will be starting his second Dynamo season. The former University of North Carolina (Charlotte) player represented Bermuda in a World Cup qualifier versus Antigua in 1999 at age 21.

The Dynamo's season opens on April 25 with a tough assignment as they face the 2003 Pro Select League's national champions, Long Island Rough Riders.

If things go well, Smith's new club could be on the field until early September when the post-season ends.