Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 21 January 2006 | ||
Place of birth | Heiloo | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Jong AZ | ||
Youth career | |||
–2023 | AZ Alkmaar | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2023– | Jong AZ | 3 | (0) |
International career | |||
2021 | Netherlands U16 | 1 | (0) |
Netherlands U17 | |||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 17 March 2023 (UTC) |
Kees Smit (born 21 January 2006) is a Dutch footballer who plays for Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie as a midfielder.[1]
From Heiloo, Smit joined the academy at AZ Alkmaar at nine years-old in 2015. He then became the youngest member of their under-12 squad.[2] After progressing through the ranks at AZ, he signed a three and-a-half year professional contract in January 2021.[3][4]
In December 2022, Smit was included with the first team squad on their mid-season break travelling training party to Valencia, Spain.[5] In January 2023, a goal Smit scored in a five-a-side indoor game went viral due to its unusual nature, as he beat the outrushing goalkeeper with shot rebounded from the side wall.[6][7][8] Later that month, Smit made his professional debut for Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie in a home match against Helmond Sport, on January 23, 2023.[9][10]
With AZ under-19s playing in the UEFA Youth League he was part of the team that beat Barcelona and Real Madrid on consecutive rounds to reach the semi-finals in March 2023.[11][12][13] Smit scored a long range goal in the UEFA Youth League last-sixteen tie against Barcelona that brought praise.[14][15][16] He also played in the UEFA Youth League final against Hajduk Split as AZ ran out 5-0 winners.[17]
In November 2021, Smit played for the Netherlands national under-16 football team against the Belgian under-16s.[18] Smit has since been selected for the Dutch U17s.[19][20]