{{Short description|Dutch footballer (born 2006)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Kees Smit |image = Kees Smit.jpg |caption = Smit with AZ in 2025 |upright = 0.9 |full_name = Kees Henricus Petrus Smit<ref>{{cite web |url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/029f-1f4d4e6171ec-9c1850d5b223-1000/bookinglist_uecl_before_lp_md4_updated.pdf |title=UEFA Conference League 2025/2026: Booking List before League Phase MatchDay 4 |publisher=UEFA |page=1 |date=27 November 2025 |access-date=28 November 2025}}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2006|1|20|df=y}} |birth_place = Heiloo, Netherlands |height = 1.82 m |position = Midfielder |currentclub = AZ |clubnumber = 26 |youthyears1 = 2015–2023 |youthclubs1 = AZ |years1 = 2023– |clubs1 = Jong AZ |caps1 = 46 |goals1 = 10 |years2 = 2024– |clubs2 = AZ |caps2 = 47 |goals2 = 3 |nationalyears1 = 2021–2022 |nationalteam1 = Netherlands U16 |nationalcaps1 = 6 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2022–2023 |nationalteam2 = Netherlands U17 |nationalcaps2 = 7 |nationalgoals2 = 0 |nationalyears3 = 2023 |nationalteam3 = Netherlands U18 |nationalcaps3 = 3 |nationalgoals3 = 0 |nationalyears4 = 2024–2025 |nationalteam4 = Netherlands U19 |nationalcaps4 = 16 |nationalgoals4 = 4 |nationalyears5 = 2025– |nationalteam5 = Netherlands U21 |nationalcaps5 = 2 |nationalgoals5 = 0 |nationalyears6 = 2026– |nationalteam6 = Netherlands |nationalcaps6 = 1 |nationalgoals6 = 0 |pcupdate = 3 May 2026 |ntupdate = 27 March 2026 |medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}} {{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}} {{Medal|W|2025|}} }}
'''Kees Henricus Petrus Smit''' (born 20 January 2006) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{Dutch football updater|AZAlkmaar}} club AZ and the Netherlands national team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kees-smit/789945/|website=Soccerway|title=Kees Smit|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref>
==Club 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/speler-van-de-maand-kees-smit-2|website=az.nl|title=Speler van de Maand: Kees Smit|date=18 November 2022|accessdate=17 March 2023|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927190010/https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/speler-van-de-maand-kees-smit-2|url-status=dead}}</ref> After progressing through the ranks at AZ, he signed a three-and-a-half-year professional contract in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deforesters.nl/kees-smit|title= Kees Smit signs first contract with AZ|website=deforesters.nl|date= February 2021|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/az-bindt-smit|title=AZ bindt Smit|date=29 January 2021|accessdate=17 March 2023|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131131918/https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/az-bindt-smit|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In December 2022, Smit was included with the first team squad on their mid-season break travelling training party to Valencia, Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|title= AZ geeft talenten weer de kans: zestienjarige mee op trainingskamp|date=17 December 2022|accessdate=17 March 2023|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/az-geeft-talenten-weer-de-kans-zestienjarige-mee-op-trainingskamp|website=vi.nl}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportnieuws.nl/fun/kees-smit-5-vs-5-toernooi-goal-jeugd-az-fulham-slim-video/|website=sportnieuws.nl|title= AZ jeugdspeler Smit steelt show bij 5 tegen 5-toernooi met déze slimme goal|date=9 January 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://11freunde.de/artikel/smit-ecken-und-kanten/7754590|title=Smit rough edges Brilliant goal from Alkmaar youth player in the hall|website=11freunde.de|date=9 January 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fumsmagazin.de/video-tor-bande-jugend/|title=Video: Freches Tor über Bande bei Jugendhallenturnier|date=9 January 2023|website=Fumsmagazin|first=Daniel|last=Hörmann|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref> Later that month, Smit made his professional debut for Jong AZ in the Eerste Divisie in a home match against Helmond Sport, on 23 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhnieuws.nl/nieuws/314029/dubbel-gevoel-voor-jong-az-talent-kees-smit-na-speciale-week-jongensdroom|website=nhnieuws.nl|title= Double feeling for Young AZ talent Kees Smit after special week: "Boy's dream"|date=27 January 2023|first=Erik -Jan|last=Brinkman|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/23/netherlands/eerste-divisie/jong-az/stichting-helmond-sport/3798843/|title=AZ II VS. HELMOND 1-1|website=Soccerway|date=23 January 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.debunschoter-online.nl/sport/daniel-beukers-klopt-met-az-barcelona/|title=Daniël Beukers klopt met AZ Barcelona|date=2 March 2023|accessdate=16 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://es.besoccer.com/noticia/amp/el-az-alkmaar-repite-la-misma-receta-para-dejar-fuera-al-madrid-1237837|title=El AZ Alkmaar repite la misma receta para dejar fuera al Madrid|website=besoccer.com|date=16 March 2023|accessdate=16 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1018174956/jong-az-overklast-ook-real-madrid-zo-n-uitslag-is-echt-bizar|title=Lewis Schouten en Daniël Breukers smaakmakers bij Youth League/sensatie|website=telegraaf.nl|date=16 March 2023|accessdate=16 March 2023}}</ref> Smit scored a long range goal in the UEFA Youth League last-sixteen tie against Barcelona that brought praise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beinsports.com/france/uefa-ligue-des-champions/video/youth-league-le-but-invraisemblable-du-rond-c/2047667|website=beinsports.com|title= Youth League: The incredible goal of the central circle of Kees Smit which surprises Barça!|date=1 March 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://livefootballontv.net/kees-smit-enchants-johan-cruijff-stadium-with-an-unparalleled-goal-against-barcelona/|title=Kees Smit enchants Johan Cruijff stadium with an unparalleled goal against Barcelona|date=1 March 2023|first=Jeroen|last=Van Poppel|accessdate=17 March 2023|archive-date=17 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317085046/https://livefootballontv.net/kees-smit-enchants-johan-cruijff-stadium-with-an-unparalleled-goal-against-barcelona/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Wondergoal! AZ-talent Kees Smit (17) schiet vanuit middencirkel raak tegen FC Barcelona in Youth League|date=1 March 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023|url= https://sportnieuws.nl/voetbal/binnenland/wondergoal-van-az-talent-kees-smit-17-tegen-fc-barcelona-in-youth-league|website=sportnieuws.nl}}</ref> He also played in the UEFA Youth League final against Hajduk Split as AZ ran out 5–0 winners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/news/0280-17dae51ecde3-5d91f742ee74-1000--report-az-cruise-to-youth-league-glory|website=UEFA|title= UEFA Youth League final report: AZ Alkmaar 5-0 Hajduk Split|date=24 April 2023|access-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>
He made his UEFA Europa League debut for AZ Alkmaar on 7 November 2024 in a 3–1 home win against Fenerbahçe, scoring the second goal and being credited with an assist for the third.<ref>{{cite web|title=Effective AZ thanks in part to 18-year-old star Smit past Fenerbahçe: 3-1|accessdate=9 November 2024|url= https://nos.nl/artikel/2543651-effectief-az-mede-dankzij-18-jarige-uitblinker-smit-langs-fenerbahce-3-1|website=Nos.nl|date=7 November 2024}}</ref> He played in the final of the KNVB Cup as AZ lost to Go Ahead Eagles on penalties on 21 April 2025. The game had ended 1–1 in normal time after Go Ahead Eagles scored a 98th-minute equaliser.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.football-oranje.com/go-ahead-eagles-win-the-knvb-cup/|website=Football-Oranje|accessdate=21 April 2025|title= Go Ahead Eagles Win The KNVB Cup|date=21 April 2025}}</ref> The following season, he played in the 2026 KNVB Cup final, and this time scored in a 5–1 win over NEC Nijmegen on 19 April 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-knvb-beker-az-soar-to-win-fifth-knvb-beker-as-nec-extend-record-with-sixth-lost-final/r3lKfswI/|website=Flash Score|title=AZ soar to win fifth KNVB Beker as NEC extend record with sixth lost final|first=Paul|last=Winters|date=19 April 2026|accessdate=19 April 2026}}</ref>
==International career== In November 2021, Smit played for the Netherlands national under-16 football team against the Belgian under-16s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185191/uitslagen/wedstrijd/333956|website=onsoranje.nl|title=Oefeninterlands, seizoen 2021/22|date=23 November 2021|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref> Smit has since been selected for the Dutch U17s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the18.com/en/soccer-entertainment/az-alkmaar-kees-smit-indoor-goal|website=the18.com|title=This is one of the most satisfyingly inventive indoor goals ever|first=Connor|last=Fleming|date=8 January 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/zes-az-ers-opgenomen-in-voorselectie-oranje-onder-20|website=az.nl|title=Update: zeven AZ'ers in voorlopige selectie Oranje Onder 17|date=4 March 2023|accessdate=17 March 2023|archive-date=19 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319090816/https://www.az.nl/nl/nieuws/zes-az-ers-opgenomen-in-voorselectie-oranje-onder-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> Smit played for the Dutch U19s during the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship which they won for the first time, Smit became player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e1856dcb3a0-d4a960ae4efa-1000--netherlands-kees-smit-named-uefa-european-under-19-champio/|website=uefa.com|accessdate=28 March 2026|title= Netherlands' Kees Smit named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament|date= June 26, 2025}}</ref>
Smit made his senior international debut for the Dutch national team starting in a 2–1 friendly win against Norway on 27 March 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title= Netherlands 2 Norway 1 – How are the Dutch looking for the World Cup? How good is Kees Smit? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7146182/2026/03/27/netherlands-norway-world-cup-kees-smit/?source=user_shared_article|date=27 March 2026|first=Simon|last=Hughes|accessdate=28 March 2026|website=The Athletic}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 3 May 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|KNVB Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Jong AZ |2022–23 |Eerste Divisie |4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0 |- |2023–24 |Eerste Divisie |29||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||2 |- |2024–25 |Eerste Divisie |13||8||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||8 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!10!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!46!!10 |- |rowspan="4"|AZ |2023–24 |Eredivisie |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2024–25 |Eredivisie |20||0||3||1||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan="2"|—||30||2 |- |2025–26 |Eredivisie |26||3||4||2||16{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||46||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !47!!3!!7!!3!!23!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!77!!7 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !93!!13!!7!!3!!23!!1!!0!!0!!123!!17 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 27 March 2026}}<ref>{{NFT player|id=103856}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |Netherlands |2026||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!1!!0 |}
==Honours== '''AZ''' *KNVB Cup: 2025–26<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/az-alkmaar-wins-knvb-dutch-cup-after-13-years-beats-nijmegen-5-1-in-final-netherlands-football-latest/article70883072.ece|title=Parrott, Koopmeiners shine as AZ Alkmaar wins KNVB Cup after 13 years|website=Sport Star|access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref>
'''Netherlands U19''' *UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=Under-19 EURO final report: Netherlands edge Spain for first title |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e1852246f5e-4c7a67c71914-1000--under-19-euro-final-report-netherlands-edge-spain-for-first-/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=28 June 2025 |date=26 June 2025}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *UEFA European Under-19 Championship top scorer: 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=2025 Under-19 EURO finals top scorers: Said El Mala, Pablo Garcia, Max Moerstedt, Kees Smit |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e0f2ff9cffc-02936a3585ab-1000--2025-under-19-euro-finals-top-scorers-said-el-mala-pablo-/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=28 June 2025 |date=26 June 2025}}</ref> * UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament: 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=Netherlands' Kees Smit named UEFA European Under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e1856dcb3a0-d4a960ae4efa-1000--netherlands-kees-smit-named-uefa-european-under-19-champio/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=28 June 2025 |date=26 June 2025}}</ref> * UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2025<ref>{{cite news |title=2025 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/029a-1e1d7bac3df2-08e048b3f5e7-1000--2025-under-19-euro-team-of-the-tournament/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=29 June 2025 |date=29 June 2025}}</ref> *UEFA Conference League Young Player of the Season: 2025–26<ref>{{cite news|date=28 May 2026|title=Kees Smit named 2025/26 UEFA Conference League Revelation of the Season|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/news/02a5-20bbaeaea9b9-a58a1cdf868f-1000--kees-smit-named-2025-26-uefa-conference-league-revelatio/|access-date=29 May 2026|publisher=UEFA}}</ref> *UEFA Conference League Team of the Season: 2025–26<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/news/02a5-20bbaea391dc-99c028b3e7fb-1000--2025-26-uefa-conference-league-team-of-the-season/ |title=2025/26 UEFA Conference League Team of the Season |publisher=UEFA |date=28 May 2026 |access-date=29 May 2026}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{AZ Alkmaar squad}} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list = {{UEFA European Under-19 Championship awards}} {{UEFA Conference League Young Player of the Season}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smit, Kees}} Category:2006 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch men's footballers Category:Footballers from North Holland Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Jong AZ players Category:AZ Alkmaar players Category:Eerste Divisie players Category:Eredivisie players Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen Category:Netherlands men's international footballers