# Justin Smith (soccer)

Justin Smith (born February 4, 2003) is a soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Espanyol in La Liga. Born in France, he has represented Canada at youth international level.

## Early life

Born in France to Canadian parents, Smith holds French and Canadian nationalities. He began playing soccer at age seven with Voisins FC. After his U14 season, he departed Voisins and joined the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, where he played until the U17 level. In 2019, he joined the Nice youth system. At the Tournoi National U17 de QRM, he helped Nice finish fourth, being named the second best player of the tournament.

## Club career
### Nice

In June 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Nice. After featuring extensively in their preseason, during the 2021–22 season, he played with Nice II in the fifth-tier Championnat National 3. On August 14, he was called up to the first team for the first time, for a match against Lille, where he was an unused substitute. That season, he featured as a unused substitute for the first team in ten Ligue 1 matches and one Coupe de France match, but did not make an appearance.
On July 1, 2022, he joined Ligue 2 side Quevilly-Rouen on loan for the season. He debuted for the second team in the Championnat National 3, scoring a goal in the team's first game of the season on August 28 against SU Dives-Cabourg. Smith made his first league appearance for the first team against Guingamp on February 3, 2023.
In July 2023, he was loaned to third tier Championnat National side Avranches on a year-long loan. The loan deal does not contain a purchase option.

### Espanyol

In July 2024, he joined Spanish club Espanyol B in the Segunda Federación on a transfer. He scored his first goal on September 22 against Alzira. On November 3, he made his first team debut in La Liga, in a substitute appearance against Barcelona.

## International career

In April 2022, Smith accepted a call-up to a Canada U20 camp ahead of two friendlies against Costa Rica. In June 2022, he was named to the roster for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Smith served as team captain during the tournament, appearing in all four of the team's matches.
On February 26, 2024, Smith was named to the Canada national soccer team provisional roster for the 2024 Copa América qualifying play-offs against Trinidad and Tobago.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of March 12, 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Nice II | 2021–2022 | Championnat National 3 | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Quevilly-Rouen II (loan) | 2022–2023 | Championnat National 3 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 |
| Quevilly-Rouen (loan) | 2022–2023 | Ligue 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Avranches (loan) | 2023–2024 | Championnat National | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 0 |
| Espanyol B | 2024–2025 | Segunda Federación | 18 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 1 |
| Espanyol | 2024–2025 | La Liga | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 89 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 2 |