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Paul Smyth (footballer)

{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul Smyth

| image = paulsmythqpr2018.jpg

| caption = Smyth in action for Queens Park Rangers in 2018.

| fullname = Paul Patrick Smyth{{cite web |title=CLUB LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |publisher=EFL |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160325/https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|9|11|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Paul Smyth |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/paul-smyth-256198/ |work=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054951/https://www.11v11.com/players/paul-smyth-256198/ |archive-date=10 January 2018 |url-status=live }}

| birth_place = Belfast, Northern Ireland

| height = 1.65

m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Queens Park Rangers

| clubnumber = 11

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2015

| youthclubs1 = Linfield

| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2015

| years1 = 2015–2017

| clubs1 = Linfield

| caps1 = 52

| goals1 = 14

| years2 = 2017–2021

| clubs2 = Queens Park Rangers

| caps2 = 19

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2019

| clubs3 = → Accrington Stanley (loan)

| caps3 = 15

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2019–2020

| clubs4 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

| caps4 = 19

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2020–2021

| clubs5 = → Charlton Athletic (loan)

| caps5 = 14

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2021

| clubs6 = → Accrington Stanley (loan)

| caps6 = 21

| goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2021–2023

| clubs7 = Leyton Orient

| caps7 = 62

| goals7 = 13

| years8 = 2023–

| clubs8 = Queens Park Rangers

| caps8 = 82

| goals8 = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2016

| nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U19

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2016–2018

| nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U21

| nationalcaps2 = 13

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2018–

| nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland

| nationalcaps3 = 18

| nationalgoals3 = 2

| club-update = 2:10, 25 March 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 22:10, 25 March 2025 (UTC)

}}

Paul Patrick Smyth (born 11 September 1997) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|QueensPR}} club Queens Park Rangers.

Club career

= Linfield =

Smyth broke into the Linfield first team as an 18-year-old in 2015, making his NIFL Premiership debut in a 2–1 defeat to Cliftonville on 14 November 2015.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Interview: Paul Smyth programme article|url=https://www.linfieldfc.com/interview.aspx?id=2201|access-date=2021-03-18|website=The Official Website of Linfield FC|language=en}} In the 2016–17 season he helped the club lift a treble of trophies; the NIFL Premiership, the Irish Cup, and the County Antrim Shield, while picking up a host of individual awards including the Ulster Young Player of the Year 2016–17.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Latest News: Paul Smyth - Linfield career stats|url=https://www.linfieldfc.com/latestnews.aspx?id=18156|access-date=2021-03-18|website=The Official Website of Linfield FC|language=en}}

= Queens Park Rangers (first spell) =

On 29 August 2017, Smyth joined Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.{{Cite news|title=QPR complete deal for Northern Ireland youngster|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/paul-smyth-signs/|publisher=QPR FC|date=29 July 2017|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830004123/https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/paul-smyth-signs/|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=live}}

On 1 January 2018, Smyth made his QPR, EFL Championship and professional debut against Cardiff City, scoring the winning goal in the 72nd minute.{{Cite news|title=MATCH REPORT: QPR 2, Cardiff City 1|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42475344|publisher=BBC|date=1 January 2018|access-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102043932/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42475344|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}

He would go onto win the Supporters Young Player of the Year, after an impressive first few months in the first team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/luongo-wins-supporters-player-of-the-year-award/ |title=Luongo wins Supporters' Player of the Year award |access-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706192613/https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/luongo-wins-supporters-player-of-the-year-award/ |archive-date=6 July 2018 |url-status=live }}

On 20 May 2021, Smyth was released by QPR at the expiry of his contract.{{Cite news|title=New deal for Carroll as Smyth is among six released by QPR|url=https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/new-deal-for-carroll-as-smyth-is-among-six-released-by-qpr|publisher=West London Sport|date=20 May 2021|access-date=20 May 2021}}

==Wycombe Wanderers (loan)==

Following a loan spell on loan at Accrington Stanley, Smyth joined Wycombe Wanderers on a season-long loan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/paul-smyth-joins-wycombe-wanderers-on-loan/|title = Paul Smyth joins Wycombe Wanderers on loan}}

==Charlton Athletic (loan)==

On 16 October 2020, Smyth joined Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan.{{cite news |title=DONE DEAL: Paul Smyth signs on loan from Queens Park Rangers |url=https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5f89ab158559c/done-deal-paul-smyth-signs-on-loan-from-queens-park-rangers |access-date=16 October 2020 |publisher=Charlton Athletic |date=16 October 2020}} He scored his first goal for Charlton in a 4-2 defeat to Burton Albion on 24 November 2020.{{cite news |title=Burton 4-2 Charlton |work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54969207|access-date=25 November 2020}}

==Accrington Stanley (loan)==

On 28 January 2021, Smyth joined Accrington Stanley on loan until the end of the season, returning to the club he had previously spent time on loan with two seasons before.{{cite web|url=https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2021/january/signing-smyth-rejoins-on-loan/|title=SIGNING: Smyth rejoins on loan|website=www.accringtonstanley.co.uk|date=28 January 2021}}

= Leyton Orient =

Upon his contract expiry, Leyton Orient announced that they signed Smyth on 25 June 2021.{{Cite news|title=Leyton Orient sign Paul Smyth|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57617103}}

= Queens Park Rangers (second spell) =

On 27 June 2023, Smyth rejoined Queens Park Rangers on a three-year deal.{{Cite news|title=Paul Smyth is back|work=Queens Park Rangers Official Site|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/paul-smyth-is-back-270623/}}

International career

Having played for Northern Ireland U21 on 22 March 2018, Smyth was called into the senior Northern Ireland squad for the friendly with South Korea on 24 March 2018.{{cite news|title=It's a night of heartache and joy for Paul Smyth as he gets ready for senior debut|first=Steven|last=Beacom|date=23 March 2018|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Belfast Telegraph|publisher=Independent News & Media|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/its-a-night-of-heartache-and-joy-for-paul-smyth-as-he-gets-ready-for-senior-debut-36735008.html}} He made his debut as an 82nd minute substitute and scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory three minutes later.{{cite news|last1=Jurejko|first1=Jonathan Jurejko|title=Smyth scores winner seconds into NI debut|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/43460282|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 March 2018|date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328063001/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/43460282|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=live}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2" | Club

! rowspan="2" | Season

! colspan="3" | League

! colspan="2" | National cup{{efn|Includes Irish Cup, FA Cup}}

! colspan="2" | League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}}

! colspan="2" | Other

! colspan="2" | Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4" valign="center" | Linfield

| 2015–16{{Cite web|title=Linfield FC statistics 2015/16|url=https://www.linfieldfc.com/lfcstats/mainstats1516.pdf|access-date=18 March 2021|website=Linfield FC official website}}

| NIFL Premiership

| 19

5500000245
2016–17{{Cite web|date=8 May 2017|title=Linfield FC statistics 2016/17|url=https://www.linfieldfc.com/lfcstats/mainstats1617.pdf|access-date=18 March 2021|website=Linfield FC official website}}

| NIFL Premiership

| 29

830002Two appearances in UEFA Europa League0348
2017–18

| NIFL Premiership

| 4

100005Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance and one goal in NIFL Charity Shield192
colspan="2" | Linfield total

! 52

148000716715
rowspan="5" valign="center" | Queens Park Rangers

| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|89636|2017|access-date=24 March 2018}}

| Championship

| 13

21000colspan="2"|—142
2018–19{{soccerbase season|89636|2018|access-date=28 September 2018}}

| Championship

| 3

00020colspan="2"|—50
2019–20{{soccerbase season|89636|2019|access-date=28 September 2018}}

| Championship

| 0

00000colspan="2"|—00
2020–21{{soccerbase season|89636|2020|access-date=28 September 2018}}

| Championship

| 3

00010colspan="2"|—40
colspan="2" | Queens Park Rangers total

! 19

21030colspan="2"|—232
Accrington Stanley (loan)

| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|89636|2018|access-date=24 March 2018}}

| League One

| 15

3100000163
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|89636|2019|access-date=19 April 2020}}

| League One

| 19

110001One appearance in EFL Trophy0211
Charlton Athletic (loan)

| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|89636|2020|access-date=19 April 2020}}

| League One

| 14

1000000141
Accrington Stanley (loan)

| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|89636|2020|access-date=19 April 2020}}

| League One

| 21

3000000213
rowspan="3" valign="center" |Leyton Orient

|2021–22{{soccerbase season|89636|2021|access-date=19 April 2020}}

|League Two

|24

|3

|1

|0

|0

|0

|1One appearance in EFL Trophy

|1

|26

|4

2022–23{{soccerbase season|89636|2022|access-date=19 April 2020}}

|League Two

|38

|10

|1

|0

|1

|0

|2One appearance in EFL Trophy

|0

|42

|10

colspan="2" | Leyton Orient total

! 62

132010316814
rowspan="3" valign="center" |Queens Park Rangers

|2023–24{{soccerbase season|89636|2023|access-date=19 April 2020}}

|Championship

|44

|3

|1

|0

|0

|0

|0

|0

|45

|3

2024–25{{soccerbase season|89636|2024|access-date=19 April 2020}}

|Championship

|38

|1

|1

|0

|3

|1

|0

|0

|42

|2

colspan="2" | Queens Park Rangers total

! 82

4203100875
colspan="3" | Career total

! 284

411507111231744

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

= International =

{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
rowspan=8 | Northern Ireland

| 2018

21
201900
202000
202110
202200
202351
202480
202520
colspan=2 | Total182

= International goals =

:As of match played 25 March 2025. Northern Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Smyth goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/70823/Paul_Smyth.html|title=Smyth, Paul|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084159/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/70823/Paul_Smyth.html|archive-date=27 March 2018|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

|+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

scope=col|No.

!scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date

!scope=col|Venue

!scope=col|Cap

!scope=col|Opponent

!scope=col|Score

!scope=col|Result

!scope=col|Competition

scope=row|1

|24 March 2018 || Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||align=center|1 || {{fb|KOR}} || align=center | 2–1 || align=center | 2–1 || Friendly

scope=row|2

|14 October 2023 || Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland||align=center|6 || {{fb|SMR}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 3–0 || UEFA Euro 2024 qualification

Honours

Linfield

  • NIFL Premiership: 2016-17{{Cite news|title=Linfield crowned Premiership champions|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758378|access-date=2021-03-18}}
  • Irish Cup: 2016-17{{Cite news|title=Irish Cup Final: Linfield 3 Coleraine 0 - Rampant Andy Waterworth seals win with hat-trick|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-cup-final-linfield-3-coleraine-0-rampant-andy-waterworth-seals-win-with-hat-trick-35686396.html|access-date=2021-03-18|issn=0307-1235}}
  • County Antrim Shield: 2016-17 {{Cite news|title=Crusaders 1-3 Linfield: David Healy banishes County Antrim Shield blues|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/linfield/crusaders-1-3-linfield-david-healy-banishes-county-antrim-shield-blues-35430079.html|access-date=2021-03-18|issn=0307-1235}}
  • NIFL Charity Shield: 2017 {{Cite web|title=CHARITY SHIELD: Linfield see off Coleraine at the Oval|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/charity-shield-linfield-see-coleraine-oval-1092229|access-date=2021-03-18|website=www.newsletter.co.uk|language=en}}

Leyton Orient

  • EFL League Two: 2022–23{{Cite web |date=22 April 2023 |title=Leyton Orient 2-0 Crewe: Richie Wellens' side seal League Two title |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/leyton-orient-vs-crewe-alexandra/report/468899 |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=Sky Sports}}

Individual

  • PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League Two{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723 |title=Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Soccerbase|id=89636}}
  • {{UEFA player}}

{{Queens Park Rangers F.C. squad}}

{{2022–23 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smyth, Paul}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Linfield F.C. players

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players

Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players

Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players

Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players

Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:NIFL Premiership players

Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers

Category:Association footballers from Belfast

Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland

Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland