Latest news with #TylonSmith
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Smith expresses delight completing move to QPR from Stellies
"I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent,' said Smith. Tylon Smith says he is delighted to join Queens Park Rangers after completing a permanent switch from South African side Stellenbosch FC. Picture: QPR FB Tylon Smith says he is proud and delighted to join Queens Park Rangers after completing a permanent switch from South African side Stellenbosch FC. According to the English Championship side, the transfer for the rising star remains subject to international clearance and visa approval. ALSO READ: Pirates confirm Lepasa exit The highly-rated 20-year-old defender, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past year, joins QPR for an undisclosed fee and will initially link up with the club's development squad. 'I'm very happy to be here. I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent,' said Smith after putting pen to paper at Loftus Road. 'QPR is well-known for developing young players. The style of play here is similar to how we play in South Africa and it's a style that I really like.' Smith arrives in West London on the back of helping South Africa's U20 side win the Cosafa Cup U20 Championship. He also played a key role again as Amajita claimed the U20 Africa Cup of Nations title, where he was named Player of the Tournament. 'It was incredible, scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Nigeria was amazing and we made history by winning the final,' Smith added. 'It was very special to win Player of the Tournament and it's very rare for it to go to a defender. It usually goes to an attacking player, so that was amazing for me.' The young centre-back was also recently nominated for the DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season award. Smith now has his sights set firmly on settling in at QPR and making an impression. 'I would say I'm like a modern defender; composed, good on the ball but I also enjoy defending. My main focus now is QPR. I'm going to give my all for this club and hopefully together we can be successful,' he concluded. QPR CEO Christian Nourry welcomed the new addition, stating: 'We are happy to beat significant competition to land the services of Tylon today. ALSO READ: Rashford 'at home' at Barca after sealing loan from Man United 'His raw attributes give him every opportunity to become a successful central defender and we are excited that the player feels, as we do, that we are best placed to develop and extract that potential from him. We will take it step by step.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
QPR pip the competition to land Stellenbosch FC's Tylon Smith
Queens Park Rangers have signed 20-year-old Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, a standout player from South Africa's Under-20 Afcon-winning team, with permanent contract starting in their development squad. Picture: Queens Park Rangers Image: Queens Park Rangers Tylon Smith has completed a permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) from Stellenbosch FC, trading the vibrant fields of the Winelands for the bustling atmosphere of West London, marking a pivotal moment in his blossoming career. The 20-year-old defender's growth in the footballing world has been nothing short of meteoric over the past year. Just a year ago, Smith signed his first professional contract following a successful run with South Africa's U20 team, where he played a key role in lifting the COSAFA U20 Challenge Cup. His standout performance in the final against Zambia earned him the Player of the Match accolade and a place in the Team of the Tournament, signalling his potential on the international stage. Since then, Smith has only grown in stature, further enhancing his reputation in May with a pivotal role in South Africa's U20 Africa Cup of Nations victory. His contributions were instrumental enough to earn him the title of Player of the Tournament, underscoring the impact he has made early in his career. QPR's CEO, Christian Nourry, expressed enthusiasm about securing Smith's services, stating: 'We are happy to beat significant competition to land the services of Tylon. "His raw attributes give him every opportunity to become a successful central defender, and we are excited that the player feels, as we do, that we are best placed to develop and extract that potential from him. We will take it step by step.' Smith's transition to QPR will initially see him integrated into the development squad, where he will have the opportunity to hone his skills further within a club renowned for nurturing young talent. Expressing his excitement about the move, Smith remarked: 'I'm happy to be here. "I'm proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent. QPR is well known for developing young players. The style of play here is like how we play in South Africa, and it's a style that I like.' Rob Benadie, the CEO of Stellenbosch, described Smith's move as a monumental achievement, not only for the player but for the club as well. 'This is a very proud moment for everyone at the club, the town, and his family. We've watched Tylon grow from a young boy in Jamestown into a player ready to take on the world stage. "His move is a reward for years of hard work, not just from him, but from everyone involved in his development, and we hope it inspires the next generation to dream even bigger.' Notably, Smith's transfer represents a landmark achievement for Stellenbosch FC, as he becomes the first player to progress through the club's youth ranks — including Under-14, Under-16, Under-18, and reserve teams—before securing a move abroad. His journey to the UK serves as a compelling narrative of hard work and dedication, reflecting the bright future of South African football.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Amajita star Tylon Smith signs for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers have signed 20-year-old Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, a standout player from South Africa's Under-20 Afcon-winning team, with permanent contract starting in their development squad. Picture: Queens Park Rangers His top performances did not go unnoticed as he makes his move to the UK, as he will slot straight into the side's development squad. The youngster shone for South Africa at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon U20 ) as Amajita won the title and Smith was named player of the tournament. The 20-year-old has signed a permanent contract with the English Championship side. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Smith Showing Confidence at QPR 'I'm very happy to be here. I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent,' said Smith. 'QPR is well-known for developing young players. The style of play here is similar to how we play in South Africa and it's a style that I really like.' Asked to describe his playing style, a clearly confident Smith said: 'I would say I'm like a modern defender; composed, good on the ball but I also enjoy defending.' As for his exploits at the Under-20 Afcon, Smith said: 'It was incredible! 'Scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Nigeria was amazing and we made history by winning the final. 'It was very special to win Player of the Tournament - it's very rare for it to go to a defender, it usually goes to an attacking player, so that was amazing for me.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
QPR sign South African defender Smith
QPR have signed South African centre-back Tylon 20-year-old has been brought in from Stellenbosch FC for an undisclosed fee and will initially play for Rangers' development was named player of the tournament at this year's Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which South Africa won. "I'm very happy to be here. I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent," Smith told the club website. , external
TimesLIVE
22-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita star Tylon Smith joining Queens Park Rangers: reports
Amajita star Tylon Smith is joining Queens Park Rangers from Stellenbosch FC, with reports indicating the gifted centreback has completed his medical and agreed terms with the London Championship side. The website Transfermarkt reported the clubs 'have agreed to the transfer of one of the brightest prospects in the Stellies side'. Neither Stellenbosch or QPR have announced any deal yet. 🇿🇦 TYLON SMITH 🇿🇦 Dominating from start to finish, he claims Man of the Competition! @Football2gether | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 19, 2025 Smith attracted global attention winning player of the tournament as coach Raymond Mdaka's Amajita won South Africa's first U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final in Cairo, Egypt, on May 18. He scored the winner in South Africa's 1-0 win against Nigeria in the semifinal. All it took was one goal. ⚽️ All it needed was Tylon Smith, the moment that sent Amajitas to the final. 🇿🇦🤩 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 15, 2025 Smith's pace, positioning, superb strength in the challenge, excellent distribution skills and forays out of defence were crucial in Amajita's tournament victory. He shouldered the central defensive responsibilities after the withdrawal from the tournament of Orlando Pirates' Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Smith has not broken into the first team at Stellenbosch, being kept out by coach Steve Barker's ultra-dependable, experienced centreback duo of Thabo Moloisane and Ismaël Touré. But he was an important player in the Stellies U-23 team that ended second to Kaizer Chiefs in the 2024-2025 DStv Diski Challenge. Smith will be the second South African to turn out for QPR in recent years. Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup midfield star Kagiso Dikgacoi played for the London club from 2011 to 2014.
