Milan Smits (born 13 November 2004) is a Belgian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Royal Antwerp.
Career
Smits began his youth career at K.V. Mechelen before joining Royal Antwerp in 2018. He made his Belgian Pro League debut on 5 March 2023, playing the final three minutes as a substitute for Arthur Vermeeren in a 5–0 home win over his former team; it was his only involvement of the season. Later that month, he was given his first professional contract, to last until 2025 with the option of a further year.
On 24 January 2024, following the sale of Vermeeren to Atlético Madrid, Smits returned to the first team, starting in a 3–2 win at Oud-Heverlee Leuven in the quarter-finals of the Belgian Cup.
Personal life
Smits's father, Björn Smits [nl] was also a footballer, who played for Royal Antwerp in the 1990s.
References
- ^ Van Gael, Hannes (16 March 2023). "Na het profdebuut ook het profcontract: Milan Smits tekent tot 2025 bij Antwerp" [After the professional debut, also the professional contract: Milan Smits signs with Antwerp until 2025]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Geypen, Diederik (8 March 2023). "Zo vader zo zoon: debutant Milan Smits is zoon van gewezen Antwerp-speler Björn Smits" [Like father, like son: debutant Milan Smits is the son of former Antwerp player Björn Smits]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- Van den Broeck, David (24 January 2024). "Ook zonder Vermeeren lukt het: Antwerp plaatst zich na spannend slot voor de halve finales van de beker" [Even without Vermeeren it works: Antwerp qualify for the semi-finals of the cup after an exciting finish]. Gazet van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
| Royal Antwerp F.C. – current squad | |
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