AZ Alkmaar completes contract extension with Netherlands international center midfielder wonderkid Kees Smit..

AZ Alkmaar announced on their official website on Thursday that they have extended the contract of its Netherlands international center midfielder wonderkid Kees Smit.

According to AZ’s official statement, Smit has signed on a new long-term four-year deal with the club which runs until the summer of 2030.

This contract extension effectively puts an end to recent rumours alleging that Smit is moving to clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, or Barcelona imminently.

After completing his contract extension procedures, Smit, who was interviewed by the AZ Alkmaar official website again, said: "The trust the club has placed in me is immense. I feel truly at home here, and there is still so much for me to learn. We reached an agreement in principle very quickly."

"While there were many wonderful moments during my time in the youth academy, I believe that everything truly carries weight only when you reach the professional first team. Winning cups and experiencing exciting European campaigns, that is what we strive for. I feel a great sense of pride every time I step onto the pitch for this club."

"It is incredibly meaningful to continue my career at the club where I grew up. It’s not something you see everywhere, but here, it’s quite common,many players have been with the club for years. I find that truly special, and I’m genuinely happy about it."

"With teammates I’ve played alongside for years and staff members I’ve known for a long time, it really feels like one big family."

About Kees Smit

Smit, who is only still 20 years old, was born on January 20, 2006, in Heiloo, the Netherlands. He is 1.82 meters tall and primarily plays as a center midfielder, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder or a defensive midfielder and has been dubbed the "new Georginio Wijnaldum" by the media, thanks to his well-rounded ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. 

Smit joined the AZ Alkmaar youth academy at the age of nine. He began representing the club’s reserve team in January 2023, and in November of the following year, completed his first-team debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Fenerbahçe, which is also an outing that propelled him to overnight fame after he both scored and provided an assist.

Since his professional debut, Smit has so far made 84 appearances for the Eredivisie side across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 14 assists. During which he has also won the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff Shield (the Dutch Super Cup) once each.

Image source: Internet / AZ Alkmaar official website