Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Renny Piers Smith [1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 3 October 1996||
Place of birth | Epsom, England | ||
Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) [3] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Farnborough | ||
Number | 16 | ||
Youth career | |||
–2013 | Chelsea | ||
2013–2015 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2016 | Burnley | 0 | (0) |
2016 | → GAIS (loan) | 10 | (0) |
2016–2017 | Vicenza | 2 | (0) |
2017 | → Mantova (loan) | 13 | (1) |
2017–2018 | Südtirol | 26 | (0) |
2018–2020 | FC Dordrecht | 62 | (8) |
2020–2022 | WSG Tirol | 37 | (3) |
2023–2024 | Oxford City | 25 | (1) |
2024 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 1 | (0) |
2025– | Farnborough | 0 | (0) |
International career | |||
2014 | Austria U18 | 2 | (0) |
2014 | Austria U19 | 1 | (0) |
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:18, 31 July 2025 (UTC) |
Renny Piers Smith (born 3 October 1996) is an English-born Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Farnborough. [4] He has also represented Austria internationally at under-18 and under-19 level. [3]
Smith was born in Epsom, Surrey, and attended the Whitgift School in South Croydon. [5] 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. [5] 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. [6] 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. [7]
In August 2015, he signed for Championship side Burnley on a three-year contract, following a successful trial against Sheffield. [7] 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. [8] During his time with the club he made ten league appearances, however, he was predominantly used as a substitute or remained on the bench. [9]
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. [10] 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. [9] On 31 January 2017, Smith joined Lega Pro side Mantova on loan. [11] [12]
On 5 July 2018, Smith joined Dutch side Dordrecht on a three-year deal. [13]
On 15 September 2020, Smith joined Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol on a free transfer. [14] He left the club at the end of the 2021-22 season.
On 26 September 2023, Smith signed for Oxford City. [15]
On 31 July 2025, following a successful trial period, Smith joined National League South side, Farnborough. [16]
Despite being born in England, Smith qualifies to represent Austria through his maternal grandfather. [5] 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. [17] He made his debut in the 2–1 win. [17]
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Burnley | 2015–16 [9] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
GAIS (loan) | 2016 [9] | Superettan | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||
Vicenza | 2016–17 [9] | Serie B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
Mantova (loan) | 2016–17 [9] | Lega Pro | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 | ||
Career total | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 | 1 |