15 Adam Smith

Adam James Smith, born on April 29, 1991, in Leytonstone, London, is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for AFC Bournemouth, where he also serves as captain. Smith’s football journey began at Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy, where he honed his skills before breaking into professional football.

Loan Spells and Early Professional Career

Smith’s senior career started at Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, but he saw limited first-team opportunities, leading to several loan moves. His first loan spell came in August 2009 when he joined Wycombe Wanderers as cover for injured players, making his Football League debut against Charlton Athletic. That same year, he was called up to England’s U19 squad for the European qualifiers.

Later in 2009, Smith moved to League Two side Torquay United on loan before joining AFC Bournemouth in September 2010 on a short-term deal. He quickly made an impact, winning a penalty in his debut match against Carlisle United, contributing to a 2–0 victory. Despite a brief suspension following a red card against Southampton, he regained form and played a key role in Bournemouth’s push for promotion. He also scored his first goal for the club in April 2011, a dramatic late equalizer against Peterborough United.

The 2011–2012 season saw Smith loaned to Milton Keynes Dons, where he scored a memorable goal against Rochdale. In January 2012, Tottenham recalled him briefly before sending him to Leeds United on transfer deadline day. He played just three games for Leeds before Spurs brought him back once more due to injuries in their senior squad. Smith made his Premier League debut for Tottenham in May 2012, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 victory over Fulham.

Further Loan Moves and Championship Experience

Following his Premier League debut, Smith was sent on loan to Millwall in November 2012. His three-month spell was extended for the remainder of the season, during which he made 25 appearances and scored once. In July 2013, he joined Derby County to replace departing right-back John Brayford. Smith made his League Cup debut for Derby in a win over Oldham Athletic and later appeared in a 5–0 victory against Brentford.

His league debut for Derby came in August 2013 as a substitute in a 3–0 loss to Burnley. He retained his spot for several games but was controversially withdrawn during a match against Millwall after being targeted by opposition fans throwing objects. He eventually lost his place to Liverpool loanee Andre Wisdom, leading to his loan being terminated by mutual consent in November 2013.

Permanent Move to AFC Bournemouth

Smith’s breakthrough came in January 2014 when he signed a permanent deal with AFC Bournemouth. Over the years, he established himself as a key defender for the club. One of his standout moments came in December 2015, when he scored in a 2–1 victory against West Bromwich Albion.

A decade after joining Bournemouth, Smith was named club captain in September 2024 following the departure of Neto to Arsenal.

International Career

On the international stage, Smith has represented England at multiple youth levels, from U16 to U21, featuring in various European qualifiers and tournaments.