AZ has given Anthony Smits his first professional contract. The attacker will be with the Alkmaar club until the summer of 2024 with an option for another year. Last six months, Smits made his debut in the Under 18 of AZ.
In the cup match against Feyenoord, Smits made his first minutes in the Under 18s. Later in the season, he won the national title and the cup with that team. “I had the feeling that the first contract would ever come, but of course you never know when,” says Smits on the website of AZ† “I’m making good steps, although I think there are always things to improve on. I’m fast, but I have to make more use of my strength. I’m much more aware of it. It’s going much better. my game more dangerous.”
Smits switched from AFC to the youth academy of AZ a few years ago. The attacker joined the Under 14 and then progressed to the Under 17, where he scored eight goals in 14 games in the first half of the season.
Head of youth academy Paul Brandenburg is pleased that AZ can once again offer a youth player a contract. “Anthony is fast, physically strong, a good team player and has the ability to score goals. He has developed well at AZ Under 17 and with his first contract we express our confidence in him. We hope to see him make new steps at AZ next season Under 18.”
AZ has recently given more contracts to talents from its own youth academy. Adam Ait Ali Oulhaj, Maxim Dekker, Fedde de Jong, Mexx Meerdink and Iman Griffith are stuck with the Alkmaarders for a long time.
NH Sport recently made the item below about the champion team of AZ.