"Dutch teenager Kees Smit is destined to leave the Eredivisie in the coming weeks and months with Premier League clubs among those keen to add the midfielder's progressive profile to their ranks. Smit has come through at AZ and will almost certainly make the Dutch club a lot of money. For those who follow the UEFA Youth League, Smit and the unfancied AZ were crowned winners of the competition in 2022/23 despite the presence of many more prestigious and established academy sides."
"En route to the final, where they defeated Hajduk Split 5-0, AZ had seen off Eintracht Frankfurt by the same scoreline, beaten Real Madrid 4-0 and Barcelona 3-0. You may like Kees Smit lines up at Selhurst Park in the UEFA Europa Conference League (Image credit: Getty Images) That same year, Smit represented AZ in the REWE Junior Cup - an indoor football tournament held in Germany, contested by professional sides."
"Unsurprisingly, Smit was named the competition's best player, shining as the tournament's most technically-gifted individual, amongst a crowded field, both figuratively and literally. Arguably the highlight of Smit's tournament display was a goal versus Fulham in which he stole possession, rode challenges as he drove forward and despite being forced away from goal, had the foresight to kick the ball off the perimeter board and into the net, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and looking very smart in the process."
Kees Smit emerged through AZ's academy and played a central role in AZ's UEFA Youth League triumph in 2022/23, overcoming established European academies. AZ recorded emphatic wins against Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid and Barcelona en route to the final and beat Hajduk Split 5-0 in the final. Smit excelled in the REWE Junior Cup and was named the tournament's best player, highlighted by a clever goal versus Fulham. Smit combines technical ability, a tiki-taka influence and notable athleticism, drawing comparisons to Pedri while offering greater intensity and physicality suited to the Premier League.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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