Kees Smit Explained

Kees Smit
Birth Date:21 January 2006
Birth Place:Heiloo, The Netherlands
Height:1.82 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:AZ
Clubnumber:26
Youthyears1:–2023
Youthclubs1:AZ Alkmaar
Years1:2023–
Clubs1:AZ
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Jong AZ
Caps2:32
Goals2:2
Nationalyears1:2021
Nationalteam1:Netherlands U16
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalteam2:Netherlands U17
Club-Update:8 July 2024

Kees Smit (born 21 January 2006) is a Dutch footballer who plays for club AZ Alkmaar as a midfielder.[1]

Career

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]

International career

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kees Smit. Soccerway. March 17, 2023.
  2. Web site: Speler van de Maand: Kees Smit. az.nl. November 18, 2022. March 17, 2023.
  3. Web site: Kees Smit signs first contract with AZ. deforesters.nl. February 2021. March 17, 2023.
  4. Web site: AZ bindt Smit. January 29, 2021. March 17, 2023.
  5. Web site: AZ geeft talenten weer de kans: zestienjarige mee op trainingskamp. December 17, 2022. March 17, 2023. vi.nl.
  6. Web site: AZ jeugdspeler Smit steelt show bij 5 tegen 5-toernooi met déze slimme goal. sportnieuws.nl. January 9, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  7. Web site: Smit rough edges Brilliant goal from Alkmaar youth player in the hall. 11freunde.de. January 9, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  8. Web site: Video: Freches Tor über Bande bei Jugendhallenturnier. January 9, 2023. Fumsmagazin. Daniel. Hörmann. March 17, 2023.
  9. Web site: Double feeling for Young AZ talent Kees Smit after special week: "Boy's dream". nhnieuws.nl. January 27, 2023. Erik -Jan. Brinkman. March 17, 2023.
  10. Web site: AZ II VS. HELMOND 1-1. Soccerway. January 23, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  11. Web site: Daniël Beukers klopt met AZ Barcelona. March 2, 2023. March 16, 2023.
  12. Web site: El AZ Alkmaar repite la misma receta para dejar fuera al Madrid. besoccer.com. March 16, 2023. March 16, 2023.
  13. Web site: Lewis Schouten en Daniël Breukers smaakmakers bij Youth League/sensatie. telegraaf.nl. March 16, 2023. March 16, 2023.
  14. Web site: Youth League: The incredible goal of the central circle of Kees Smit which surprises Barça!. beinsports.com. March 1, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  15. Web site: Kees Smit enchants Johan Cruijff stadium with an unparalleled goal against Barcelona. March 1, 2023. Jeroen. Van Poppel. March 17, 2023.
  16. Web site: Wondergoal! AZ-talent Kees Smit (17) schiet vanuit middencirkel raak tegen FC Barcelona in Youth League. March 1, 2023. March 17, 2023. sportnieuws.nl.
  17. Web site: UEFA Youth League final report: AZ Alkmaar 5-0 Hajduk Split. UEFA.com. April 24, 2023. April 25, 2023.
  18. Web site: Oefeninterlands, seizoen 2021/22. onsoranje.nl. November 23, 2021. March 17, 2023.
  19. Web site: This is one of the most satisfyingly inventive indoor goals ever. the18.com. Connor. Fleming. January 8, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  20. Web site: Update: zeven AZ'ers in voorlopige selectie Oranje Onder 17. az.nl. March 4, 2023. March 17, 2023.

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