Gold Coast United signing Shane Smeltz will soon gain Australian citizenship.

The German-born New Zealander will officially become an Australian citizen, giving him greater opportunities if he were to have a crack at playing abroad, especially in Asia.

The former Wellington Phoenix star will retain his right to play for the New Zealand national team, the All Whites, but will not be seen as a 'foreign' player on Gold Coast's A-League list.

Smeltz will also have greater opportunities in Asia under the 'three plus one' rule once he becomes an Australian.

Seeing as that he will now be considered a player from the Asian Football Confederation, he can be the 'plus one' foreign player on an Asian club list.