Twenty-year-old South African defender Tylon Smith has undergone a medical ahead of a move to Queens Park Rangers, according to reports in his home country.
The ‘Amajita’ youth prodigy has impressed at junior level for South African side Stellenbosch FC. Despite signing his first professional contract in October 2024, Smith has yet to make a senior appearance and is initially expected to link up with QPR’s development squad. QPR and Smith have come to terms on a long-term deal, making him the first South African to join an English side directly from the PSL since Kagisho Dikgacoi in 2009.
Why Sign Tylon Smith?
Tylon Smith emerged as perhaps South Africa’s biggest rising star after an exceptional U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the centre-back won player of the tournament on his way to helping Bafana Bafana win the competition for the first time.
Smith is the first centre-back to win the U-20 player of the tournament award and just the second in his position to win the AFCON ‘MVP’ award at any age level, alongside former Watford man William Troost-Ekong. Smith is also South Africa’s first to achieve the youth accolade since Benni McCarthy in 1997, clearly highlighting his potential.
Smith’s technical and physical abilities are well regarded, and his prowess at youth level indicates that he is capable of making the transition to senior English football. However, his lack of senior minutes considering his age mean that QPR will be hoping for a short adjustment period, so that the club can see a return on their investment.
Tylon Smith’s signing is another example of QPR’s renewed focus on signing youth players with high upside, particularly from underappreciated leagues. Australian rising stars Daniel Bennie and Jaylen Pearman have both joined the Rs from Perth Glory in recent times, as well as Keeley Adamson, who signed this summer from Macarthur FC. Brazilian left-back prodigy Esquerdinha arrived from Fluminense in February, while local news sites have reported that three Uzbek youth players are on trial with the West London outfit.
This transfer approach is relatively risk-free, and the success of any of these younger talents could mean massive financial upside for QPR.
Written by Amar Topan (@W12Amar on X)
