Matthew Smith (footballer, born 1999)

Matthew Robert Smith (born 22 November 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League One club Milton Keynes Dons. Although born in England, he represents the Wales national team.[3]

For other people named Matthew Smith, see Matthew Smith (disambiguation).

Matthew Smith
Personal information
Full name Matthew Robert Smith[1]
Date of birth (1999-11-22) 22 November 1999[2]
Place of birth Redditch, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Milton Keynes Dons
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2013 West Bromwich Albion
2013–2018 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2022 Manchester City 0 (0)
2018–2019 → Twente (loan) 34 (2)
2019–2020 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) 8 (0)
2020 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 2 (0)
2020–2021 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 40 (1)
2021–2022 → Hull City (loan) 9 (0)
2022– Milton Keynes Dons 3 (0)
National team‡
2015–2016 Wales U17 8 (0)
2016 Wales U19 3 (0)
2017– Wales U21 5 (1)
2018– Wales 15 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:10, 17 March 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:05, 1 September 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Manchester City

Having initially joined the academy of West Bromwich Albion at a young age, in 2013 Smith moved to the academy of Manchester City, where he continued to progress through several age groups.[4]

In July 2018 at the age of 18, Smith joined Dutch Eerste Divisie club FC Twente on a season-long loan,[5] eventually making 37 appearances and scoring 2 goals, playing a key role in the club's promotion to the Eredivisie.[6] Over the next two seasons, he was again sent out on loan to EFL Championship clubs Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic, as well as EFL League One club Doncaster Rovers, making over 40 appearances for the latter.[6] Ahead of the 2021–22 season, on 6 August 2021 Smith joined EFL Championship club Hull City on another season-long loan.[7]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 31 January 2022, following limited opportunities with Hull, Smith was recalled from his loan and immediately transferred to League One club Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.[6] He made his debut for the club on 8 February 2022, in a 1–1 draw away to Fleetwood Town.[8]

International career

Smith qualifies for the Welsh team as his grandfather is from South Wales.[9]

Smith has played for Wales at U17, U19, U21 and senior level, often captaining the side at youth level. He received a first call-up to the senior squad on 20 May 2018.[10]

He made his senior debut for Wales in a friendly 0–0 tie with Mexico, replacing Tom Lawrence after 81 minutes.[11] In May 2021 he was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[12]

Career statistics

Club
As of 8 March 2022.[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2018–19[14] Premier League 0000000000
2019–20[14] Premier League 0000—0000
2020–21[14] Premier League 0000—0000
Total 0000000000
FC Twente (loan) 2018–19[14] Eerste Divisie 34230——372
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2019–20[14] Championship 800020—100
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2019–20[14] Championship 20———20
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2020–21[15] League One 40130—00431
Hull City (loan) 2021–22[16] Championship 900010—100
Milton Keynes Dons 2021–22[16] League One 20———20
Career Total 9536030001043

    International
    As of 1 September 2021.[17]
    Appearances and goals by national team and year
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Wales 201840
    201930
    202050
    202130
    Total150

    Honours

    FC Twente

    References
    1. "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
    2. "Matt Smith". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
    3. Matthew Smith at WorldFootball.net
    4. "All about...Matt Smith". Manchester City. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
    5. "Matt Smith: Manchester City's Wales midfielder joins FC Twente on loan". BBC. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
    6. "Matt Smith joins from Man City". Milton Keynes Dons. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
    7. "Matt Smith Joins On Loan". Hull City. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
    8. "Fleetwood Town 1-1 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
    9. "Matt Smith: Wales midfielder signs new Manchester City deal". BBC Sport. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
    10. "Manchester City academy midfielder called up by Ryan Giggs for Wales senior squad – City Watch".
    11. "Internationals (Sky Sports)". SkySports.
    12. "Uncapped Colwill in Wales Euro 2020 squad" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
    13. "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
    14. Matthew Smith at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
    15. "Games played by Matthew Smith in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
    16. "Games played by Matthew Smith in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
    17. "Smith, Matthew". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
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