Keegan Smith (footballer, born 1999)

Keegan Smith (born 13 May 1999) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National Premier Leagues Tasmania club Devonport City.

Keegan Smith
Personal information
Full name Keegan Smith
Date of birth (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Devonport City
Number 1
Youth career
2013–2016 Ellerslie
2016–2017 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2018 Phoenix Reserves 5 (0)
2017–2018 Wellington Phoenix 6 (0)
2018 Lower Hutt 12 (0)
2018–2019 Tasman United 11 (0)
2019 Wellington Olympic 16 (0)
2020 Miramar Rangers 15 (0)
2020–2021 Team Wellington 2 (0)
2021 North Wellington 5 (0)
2022– Devonport City 18 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 June 2022

Club career

A-League

Smith joined Wellington Phoenix to play for their reserves playing in New Zealand's top-flight, the ISPS Handa Premiership.[1] Smith made his debut starting in a game against Canterbury United.[2] He made his senior league debut in the A-League on 8 October 2017, in a 1–1 draw with Adelaide United.[3]

On 9 November 2017, Smith was rewarded for his breakthrough with a three-year contract with the Wellington Phoenix. As the Phoenix had already reached their limit of 23 professional players, Smith's first two years were on a full-time scholarship deal before his third year turned professional.[4][5]

Domestic career

In May 2018, Smith was allowed to link up with Phoenix feeder club, Lower Hutt, in New Zealand's top league, to get game time with the plan for him to return for Year 2 of his contract.[6] During this time, Smith continued to train with the Phoenix despite playing matches with Lower Hutt.

In October 2018, it was announced that Smith and the Phoenix had agreed to a mutual termination that allowed Smith to leave the club and join Tasman United to play in the ISPS Handa Premiership.[7][8]

Over the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Smith would play for several Wellington sides in the ISPS Handa Premiership and Central League (New Zealand first-tier in the summer and winter respectively). These clubs are Wellington Olympic, Team Wellington, Miramar Rangers and North Wellington.

Playing in Australian leagues

In November 2021, it was announced that Smith would be relocating to Australia to play in the National Premier Leagues, signing for Tasmania champions and FFA Cup regulars Devonport City. He linked up with the side in February 2022 at the conclusion of the 2021 New Zealand National League season.[9]

References
  1. "Players and Staff". Wellington Phoenix Football Academy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. Egan, Brendon. "Canterbury remain unbeaten after overcoming nine-men Phoenix Reserves". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  3. Hyslop, Liam (8 October 2017). "Tactical stalemate as Wellington Phoenix draw season opener". Stuff.co.nz.
  4. "Wellington Phoenix sign schoolboy Keegan Smith on three-year contract". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  5. Phoenix, Wellington. "Contract information". twitter. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  6. "Smith Released To Play In Off Season". Wellington Phoenix. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  7. "Smith termination". Twitter. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  8. "Big names in ISPS Handa Premiership squads". New Zealand Football. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  9. "Strikers net a Kiwi talent for 2022 NPL Tasmania campaign". 2 November 2021.
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