Dynamic central defender commits his future to Oakwell with first professional deal!
18-year-old Will Smith has today signed his first professional contract with Barnsley Football Club. A ball-playing central defender with a keen eye for a pass, Smith has gained deserved recognition during his time at the Club after being named the ‘Academy Player of the Year’ for the 2015/16 season.
Smith carried his form forward into this last campaign and has been involved with Paul Heckingbottom’s first team set-up on more than one occasion towards the end of 2016/17, most notably taking a place on the bench away at Bristol City and has been a regular for the U23s side this term.
We are pleased that Will has committed his immediate future to the Reds and we look forward to seeing his development continue with the Club.
After signing his deal, Will commented, "I am really happy to have signed. I've come up through the ranks and I know this is a really great place to be so I am excited to get started again once the summer break ends. I want to keep working hard and push to get into the first team along with the top central defenders we have here, so this is a fresh challenge now as I step up and I am absolutely raring to go."
Academy Manager Bobby Hassell said, “Will thoroughly deserves this contract after continually working hard and showing his ability. He won his award last season which made us all challenge him further to go on and better himself. He’s certainly listened to the coaches, worked hard and continues to impress so he will now be set a further challenge to go and impress again next year.”
