Renny Piers Smith (born 3 October 1996) is an English-born Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Farnborough.[1] He has also represented Austria internationally at under-18 and under-19 level.[2]
Career
Smith was born in Epsom, Surrey, and attended the Whitgift School in South Croydon.[3] He started his career in the youth team at Chelsea where he stayed until early 2013, before he made the decision to leave following a difference in opinion over his playing position.[3] He subsequently joined London rivals Arsenal on a two-year scholarship, a move which followed him being on trial at clubs Liverpool and Manchester City.[4] He featured regularly for Arsenal's youth team over various competitions including the UEFA Youth League, but he failed to make the breakthrough to the first team. He failed to earn a professional deal and was released in the summer of 2015 following the end of his scholarship.[5]
In August 2015, he signed for Championship side Burnley on a three-year contract, following a successful trial against Sheffield.[5] He was placed immediately into the Development Squad. In February 2016 he joined Swedish Superettan side GAIS on a season-long loan, following a successful two-week trial.[6] During his time with the club he made ten league appearances, however, he was predominantly used as a substitute or remained on the bench.[7]
In August 2016, he was recalled early from his loan with GAIS and was sold to Italian Serie B side Vicenza for a nominal fee.[8] He made his professional debut for the side in November 2016, replacing Francesco Signori as a substitute in the 1–0 league win over Trapani Calcio.[7] On 31 January 2017, Smith joined Lega Pro side Mantova on loan.[9][10]
On 5 July 2018, Smith joined Dutch side Dordrecht on a three-year deal.[11]
On 15 September 2020, Smith joined Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol on a free transfer.[12] He left the club at the end of the 2021-22 season.
On 26 September 2023, Smith signed for Oxford City.[13]
On 31 July 2025, following a successful trial period, Smith joined National League South side, Farnborough.[14]
International career
Despite being born in England, Smith qualifies to represent Austria through his maternal grandfather.[3] His father, Renny Sr., alerted the Austrian Football Association of his eligibility, and in April 2014 he received his first call-up to the under-18 side for a friendly against Denmark, after the Association had scouted him in Arsenal youth team fixtures.[15] He made his debut in the 2–1 win.[15]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Burnley | 2015–16 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| GAIS (loan) | 2016 | Superettan | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||
| Vicenza | 2016–17 | Serie B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Mantova (loan) | 2016–17 | Lega Pro Group B | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 | ||
| Südtirol | 2017–18 | Serie C Group B | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 0 | ||
| Dordrecht | 2018–19 | Eerste Divisie | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 4 | ||
| 2019–20 | Eerste Divisie | 27 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 4 | |||
| Total | 62 | 8 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 65 | 8 | ||||
| WSG Tirol | 2020–21 | Austrian Bundesliga | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22 | Austrian Bundesliga | 14 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 17 | 1 | |||
| Total | 37 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 4 | ||||
| Oxford City | 2023–24 | National League | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Hemel Hempstead Town | 2024–25 | National League South | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Farnborough | 2025–26 | National League South | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | |
| Career total | 206 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 | 16 | ||
References
- ^ Renny Smith: To play for Austria would be my dream englishplayersabroad.com
- ^
- ^ "RENNY SMITH MAKES AUSTRIA DEBUT". Das Wunderkid. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "ARSENAL SIGN DEFENDER RENNY SMITH FROM CHELSEA". Das Wunderkid. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Renny Settles In". Burnley FC. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Clarets youngster joins Swedish side GAIS". Burnley FC. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Renny Smith - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "Renny Smith leaves for Italy". Up The Clarets. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Renny Piers Smith è biancorosso". Vicenza Calcio. 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ "31/01/2017 Ultimi colpi in chiusura di calciomercato". Mantova F.C. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ "Renny Smith versterkt FC Dordrecht" (in Dutch). FC Dordrecht. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- ^ "WSG schlägt neuerlich am Transfermarkt zu" (in German). WSG Swarovski Tirol. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ https://twitter.com/OxCityFC/status/1706734612062650672
- ^ Lloyd, Dom (31 July 2025). "Boro seal Smith signing". www.farnboroughfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "RENNY SMITH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW- ON ARSENAL, AUSTRIA AND HIS AIMS FOR NEXT SEASON". Das Wunderkid. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2016.