Kerr Smith (footballer) explained

Kerr Smith
Fullname:Kerr David Smith[1]
Birth Date:12 December 2004
Birth Place:Montrose, Scotland
Height:1.88m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Aston Villa
Clubnumber:63
Youthclubs1:Brechin City
Youthyears2:2011–2021
Youthclubs2:Dundee United
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:Dundee United
Caps1:10
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–
Clubs2:Aston Villa
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2024
Clubs3:St Johnstone (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:12:22, 5 February 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:19:52, 25 September 2022 (UTC)

Kerr David Smith (born 12 December 2004) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Aston Villa.

He is a product of the Dundee United academy, and made his Scottish Premiership debut there in 2021 aged 16, before joining Aston Villa in January 2022.

Early life

Smith was born on 12 December 2004 in Montrose, Angus.[2] Smith attended Lochside Primary School in Montrose, Angus. Smith played for the Brechin City Boys Club as a child before starting an association with the Dundee United academy at seven years old.[3]

Club career

Dundee United

Smith was developed through Dundee United's academy. At the age of 15, he appeared for a youthful Dundee United team in a friendly match against Premier League club Sheffield United in August 2020, which was abandoned after 45 minutes.[4] In the next few weeks, he had trials with Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Manchester United.[5] [6] Despite interest from those clubs and others in England, Smith decided to sign his first professional contract with Dundee United upon reaching his 16th birthday in December 2020, under contract until 2023.[7] He was immediately allocated a first team squad number of 43[8] and was an unused substitute in United's Scottish Premiership match against Rangers the following day.[9]

He made his competitive senior debut for Dundee United as a late substitute in their 4–1 Premiership defeat against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium on 21 February 2021.[10] He then made his first starting appearance in a 3–0 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on 21 April 2021.[11]

Aston Villa

On 14 January 2022, English Premier League club Aston Villa announced Smith as a new signing for their Academy.[12] The transfer fee was undisclosed, but was reported to be worth up to £2 million.[13]

St Johnstone loan

On 2 January 2024, Smith signed a professional contract with Aston Villa. The same day he joined Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone on loan until the end of the season.[14] Smith made his debut as a late substitute in a 1–0 victory over Ross County on 3 February.[15]

International career

Smith made his debut for the Scotland U19 team in a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar in a 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match on 13 November 2021.[16]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dundee United2020–21Scottish Premiership5000000050
2021–225000200070
Total100002000120
Aston Villa2021–22Premier League0000000000
2022–230000002020
2023–240000003030
Total0000005050
St Johnstone (loan)2023–24Scottish Premiership3000000030
Career total130002050200

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squad lists for 2021/22 Premier League . Premier League . 4 February 2022 . 6 February 2022.
  2. News: Kerr Smith . 21 March 2021 . Arab Archive.
  3. Web site: KERR SMITH MAKES PREMIER LEAGUE SWITCH . 2023-08-29 . Dundee United Football Club . en.
  4. News: Woodger . Calum . Dundee United A-A Sheffield United: Friendly called to a halt as Blades led through Sharp at sodden Tannadice . 21 March 2021 . The Courier . 25 August 2020 . Dundee.
  5. News: Nicolson . Eric . EXCLUSIVE: Highly-rated young Dundee United defender Kerr Smith goes down south with Aston Villa . 21 March 2021 . The Courier . 30 September 2020 . Dundee.
  6. News: Nicolson . Eric . EXCLUSIVE: Dundee United hot prospect Kerr Smith has spent a week training with Manchester United . 21 March 2021 . The Courier . 27 October 2020 . Dundee.
  7. News: Banks . Ben . Kerr Smith signs first Dundee United deal amid Manchester United interest . 21 March 2021 . Not The Old Firm . 18 December 2020.
  8. News: Kerr Smith signs first professional contract at Tannadice . 21 March 2021 . Dundee United F.C. . 12 December 2020.
  9. News: Pirie . Mark . Dundee United vs Rangers - Live updates . 21 March 2021 . Daily Record . 13 December 2020.
  10. News: Cairney . James . Rangers 4-1 Dundee United: How the visitors rated in Premiership loss . 21 March 2021 . Glasgow Times . 21 February 2021.
  11. News: Job not done after Killie win - Wright . 23 April 2021 . BBC Sport . 22 April 2021.
  12. Web site: 14 January 2022. Smith joins Villa Academy. 2022-01-14. Aston Villa Football Club.
  13. Web site: Hamilton. Sean. Kerr Smith seals move from Dundee United to Aston Villa. 2022-01-14. The Courier. en-GB.
  14. Web site: 2024-01-02 . Kerr Smith pens pro deal and seals loan . 2024-01-02 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  15. News: 3 February 2024 . St Johnstone sink County in long-awaited away win . 2024-02-05 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  16. Web site: 2021-11-13. Four Rangers teens involved as Scotland under-19s win 3-0 in Croatia. 2022-01-14. Rangers News. en-GB.