Justin Smith

Justin Smith (born February 4, 2003) is a soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Eldense. 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 an unused substitute for the first team in ten Ligue 1 matches and one Coupe de France match, but did not make an appearance. 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.

Loan to Sporting Gijón On July 17, 2025, Smith renewed his contract with Espanyol until 2027, and was immediately loaned to Segunda División side Sporting Gijón, for one year.

Eldense On July 8, 2026, Smith signed a three-year contract with Eldense, newly promoted to the second division.

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