Milan Smits

Last updated

Milan Smits
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-11-13) 13 November 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Belgium
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) [1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 De Graafschap
Youth career
2009–2013 Zandvliet Sport
2013–2015 Lierse
2015–2018 KV Mechelen
2018–2022 Antwerp
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022–2025 Young Reds Antwerp 62 (2)
2023–2025 Antwerp 7 (0)
2025– De Graafschap 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2025

Milan Smits (born 13 November 2004) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch Eerste Divisie club De Graafschap.

Contents

Career

Smits began his footballing development at local club Zandvliet Sport, where he spent four years in the youth setup from 2009 to 2013. He then joined the academy of Lierse, remaining there for two seasons before moving to KV Mechelen in 2015. [2] In 2018, Smits transferred to the youth department of Antwerp. [3]

He made his Belgian Pro League debut on 5 March 2023, coming on as a late substitute in a 5–0 home win against former club Mechelen. It was his only appearance of the season. [4] Later that month, he was given his first professional contract, to last until 2025, with the option of a further year. [3]

Smits returned to the first team on 24 January 2024, starting in a 3–2 victory away to OH Leuven in the quarter-finals of the Belgian Cup, shortly after the departure of midfielder Arthur Vermeeren to Atlético Madrid. [5]

On 25 June 2025, Smits joined Dutch Eerste Divisie side De Graafschap, signing a two-year contract with an option for a third. [6] At the time of the signing, technical manager Berry Powel described him as "a versatile midfielder with great stamina," highlighting his tactical awareness and ambition to grow. [7]

Personal life

Smits's father, Björn Smits  [ nl ] was also a footballer, who played for Royal Antwerp in the 1990s. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "Milan Smits". De Graafschap (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Spelersfiche Milan Smits". Antwerpsupporter (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 Van Gael, Hannes (16 March 2023). "Na het profdebuut ook het profcontract: Milan Smits tekent tot 2025 bij Antwerp" [After the professional debut, also the professional contract: Milan Smits signs with Antwerp until 2025]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 Geypen, Diederik (8 March 2023). "Zo vader zo zoon: debutant Milan Smits is zoon van gewezen Antwerp-speler Björn Smits" [Like father, like son: debutant Milan Smits is the son of former Antwerp player Björn Smits]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  5. ↑ Van den Broeck, David (24 January 2024). "Ook zonder Vermeeren lukt het: Antwerp plaatst zich na spannend slot voor de halve finales van de beker" [Even without Vermeeren it works: Antwerp qualify for the semi-finals of the cup after an exciting finish]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "De Graafschap versterkt zich met Belgische middenvelder Milan Smits" [De Graafschap strengthen squad with Belgian midfielder Milan Smits]. De Graafschap (in Dutch). 25 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  7. ↑ Vinkenveugel, Hidde (25 June 2025). "De Graafschap versterkt middenveld met 20-jarige Belg Milan Smits" [20-year-old Belgian Milan Smits joins De Graafschap to bolster midfield]. Regio8 (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
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