Seattle Sounders new-boy Khano Smith will be put through his paces by fitness fanatic Kenny Thompson with the pair to train together over the festive period.

With Smith looking to hit the ground running at Sounders' pre-season training next month, the speed merchant has taken up an offer from former national coach Thompson to temporarily become his personal trainer.

The Bermuda international, who was picked up in the draft by new Major League Soccer (MLS) team Sounders a fortnight ago, also plans to dust off the cobwebs by joining in with training sessions at boyhood club Dandy Town when he returns to the Island later this month.

"I spoke to Kenny a while back when he was the national team coach and he said whenever I'm back in Bermuda he would gladly help train me," said the former New England Revolution winger.

"As I'm going to be back on the Island for a few weeks over Christmas I plan to take him up on his offer.

"Kenny's a bit of a fitness fanatic and is always trying out new techniques so it will be good to do some conditioning work with him.

"He may be 12 years older than me but he's in pretty good shape, although I'm more than confident I'll be able to keep up with him. I also intend to take my boots along to St. John's Field and have a kick-about with my old club Dandy Town."

Thompson will work on improving Smith's speed, endurance and power and backed the 27-year-old to seize his 'exciting new opportunity' at Sounders.

"I'll be talking with Khano over the next few days to see where he's at in terms of fitness so I can prescribe a programme for him," said the Somerset Eagles technical director, who is currently injured and to undergo minor surgery.

"We'll be working on speed, endurance and power, both with and without the ball," he said.

As a free-agent Smith was one of ten players picked up from other clubs in the draft and joins ex-Arsenal ace Freddie Ljungberg and former Tottenham goalkeeper Kasey Keller at the league's newest club.

And Thompson, who turned down an offer to play in the MLS during its inaugural year, has tipped Smith to adapt to his new environment and thrive playing alongside the likes of Ljungberg and Keller.

"I know Khano was happy at New England Revolution but sometimes a player needs a fresh new challenge.

"This is an exciting move for him and he should have no problems in settling in at a new club as he's been in the professional game for a number of years now.

"Players like Freddie Ljungberg and Kasey Keller have played at the very top and Khano will no doubt make the most of this opportunity."

Sigi Schmid, who guided Columbus Crew to the MLS championship last month, has been linked with the Sounders coaching position after turning down a new contract.

It has been reported that Schmid, who led LA Galaxy to the MLS title in 2002, met with Sounders officials last week.

Sounders are the 15th team to join the MLS and were formerly part of the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1974 to 1983 and USL-D1, the league above Bermuda Hogges, since 1994.