Jackson Smith

Walsall Smith moved on loan to League Two club Walsall on 27 January 2023. The move was welcomed by Walsall's first-choice goalkeeper Owen Evans, who manager Michael Flynn said Smith had been signed to provide with "much-needed competition". He made his debut on 29 April, appearing as a half-time substitute for the injured Evans, and his performance was praised by new manager Mat Sadler. He returned to the Bescot Stadium on a permanent basis after being sold to Walsall for an undisclosed fee on 21 July 2023, signing a one-year deal. On 16 March 2024, he was named in the EFL Team of the Week after saving a Noah Chilvers penalty during a 1–1 draw at Colchester United. He played 32 games in all competitions and won the club's 2023–24 Young Player of the Year award.

Barnsley On 9 July 2024, Smith signed for League One club Barnsley on a four-year deal, with the option for a further year, for an undisclosed fee. Manager Darrell Clarke said he was a "long-term project" and the intention was for him to initially leave Oakwell on loan to find gametime elsewhere. Gabriel Slonina and Ben Killip were ahead of him in the pecking order at Oakwell. On 1 October 2024, Smith signed for League Two club Grimsby Town on an initial emergency seven-day loan after the injury of both of Grimsby's senior goalkeepers. The loan was extended three times to run until 28 October. He appeared a total of seven times during his time at Blundell Park. He made his full debut for Barnsley in a 2–1 win over Northampton Town on 25 February 2025. He played six games for the Tykes before picking up an injury in Conor Hourihane's first match in charge. He remained injured for the rest of the 2024–25 season and did not feature in the summer's pre-season friendly games.

He trained with Forest Green Rovers in August 2025. On 10 October, Smith joined National League club Rochdale on an emergency seven-day loan. Manager Jimmy McNulty, a former Barnsley defender, needed cover for an FA Cup qualification game, a defeat to York City at Spotland. On 20 December, Smith returned to League Two club Grimsby Town on a seven-day emergency loan following an injury to Christy Pym. He kept three clean sheets in his three games during this period. On 8 January, his loan was extended until the end of the 2025–26 season. He conceded just 22 goals in 26 league games, keeping 13 clean sheets, to help the Mariners collect more points than anyone in the division and qualify for the play-offs. Manager David Artell made Pym available for transfer and tried to secure a permanent move for Smith. Manager Jon Brady said he had "proven he has what it takes to provide a steady and reassuring presence at the back".

Style of play Speaking in 2024, Barnsley's Sporting Director, Mladen Sormaz, described Smith as an "exciting young goalkeeper... a good shot-stopper, he can play with his feet and commands his box well".

Career statistics

Honours Individual Walsall Supporters' Young Player of the Season: 2023–24