Tylon Smith

Tylon Smith
Smith in 2026
Personal information
Full name Tylon Christopher Smith
Date of birth (2005-05-09) 9 May 2005 (age 21)
Place of birth Kriefgat, Western Cape, South Africa
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 New England Revolution
Number 6
Youth career
–2024 Stellenbosch
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024–2025 Stellenbosch
2025– Queens Park Rangers 2 (0)
2026– → New England Revolution (loan) 0 (0)
2026– → New England Revolution II (loan) 1 (0)
International career
2024–2025 South Africa U20 11 (1)
2025– South Africa 1 (0)
Medal record
Representing  South Africa
Africa U-20 Cup of Nations
Winner2025
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Tylon Christopher Smith (born 9 May 2005) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution, on loan from EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers, and the South Africa national team.

Smith was voted player of the tournament at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Club career

Stellenbosch

Smith played for Stellenbosch in the PSL Reserve League and was part of the team that won the league in the 2023/24 season. He was also part of the team that won the Next Gen Cup following a 2–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur U/21.

In October 2024 he signed his first professional contract with the side.

Queens Park Rangers

In July 2025, Smith signed with EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a four-year deal. The move saw him become the first player since Kagisho Dikgacoi in 2009 to transfer directly from the PSL to England, also becoming the first player to progress through the Stellenbosch academy and secure a move abroad.

On 12 August 2025, he made his debut in a 3–2 EFL Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

Loan to New England Revolution

On 13 August 2026 Smith was loaned to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.

International career

Smith competed with the South Africa U-20 team at the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup when the side won their ninth title and qualified for the 2025 U-20 Arica Cup of Nations. He helped the side win their maiden U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the 2025 U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2025. He was voted the 2025 U-20 Arica Cup of Nations player of the tournament. He was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year at the 2025 awards.

Smith was called up for the South Africa senior side by coach Hugo Broos for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Honours

Club

Queens Park Rangers Development Squad

Stellenbosch

International

South Africa U-20

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Squad List 2026/27 & U21 Registered Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. 8 September 2026. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 October 2026. Retrieved 19 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 "New England Revolution acquire center back Tylon Smith on loan". revolutionsoccer.net. 2026-08-13. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
  3. 1 2 "Bafana Bafana's defender Tylon Smith sees his AFCON squad inclusion as an opportunity to grow, learn, and elevate his game | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  4. 1 2 "Tylon Smith named Best Player of TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON 2025". Tylon Smith named Best Player of TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  5. ↑ "Stellenbosch Stage Dramatic Comeback To Clinch Diski Challenge Title - Sportswire". 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  6. ↑ Dylan (2024-08-05). "Stellenbosch FC crowned Premier League Next Generation Cup champions". SportsClub. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  7. ↑ Dylan (2024-10-31). "Tylon Smith signs professional contract with Stellies". SportsClub. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  8. ↑ Cruywagen, Dennis (2025-07-20). "Stellies soccer star Tylon Smith nets deal with Queens Park Rangers". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  9. ↑ "Tylon Smith completes QPR move". www.qpr.co.uk. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Tylon Smith joins QPR in landmark transfer for Stellenbosch FC". www.stellenboschfc.com. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Amajita and Stellenbosch star Tylon Smith completes move to England". Pan-Africa Football. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Match Report: Plymouth Argyle 3, QPR 2". www.qpr.co.uk. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "Amajita defeat Morocco in Egypt to claim historic first U20 AFCON title | soccer". SABC. 2025-05-18. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  14. ↑ "Tylon Smith Edges Mbokazi For CAF Award". Soccer Laduma. 2025-11-17. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  15. ↑ Gholam, Simeon (18 November 2025). "Tylon Smith: The QPR defender shortlisted for African Youth Player of the Year". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Dev Squad lift London Senior Cup!". Queens Park Rangers. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.