South Africa’s 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations star Tylon Smith has flown to England to complete a dream move to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers (QPR).
Smith, who was voted the tournament’s best player as South Africa won their first-ever AFCON U20 title after beating Morocco in the final in May, has been on the radar of the English side since his heroics in Egypt.
The Stellenbosch FC central defender looked so mature and assured for a 20-year-old during the tournament, even though he was still playing in the DDC, as his defending both in the air and ground was impressive.
Smith to move from DDC to English Championship
Smith never panicked even when he saw danger and was a big asset for Raymond Mdaka’s side on set-pieces when defending or attacking as seen with his header which won South Africa the semi-final.
Stellenbosch were set to promote him to the senior side from next season but QPR have made their move quickly and according to iDiski Times, he left the country on Friday for his medical at the London-based club before his unveiling.
Smith will become the second South African player to move from a PSL side directly to England since Kagiso Dikgacoi joined Fulham from Golden Arrows in 2009.
It is a massive opportunity for the 20-year-old who has received praise from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos who said he plans to start integrating him and other youngsters into the senior team from next year.
