AZ Alkmaar sensation Smit has turned down a potential move to Real Madrid to stay with the Eredivisie leaders. The 20-year-old attacker confirmed this week that despite concrete interest from the Spanish giants, he sees his immediate future in Alkmaar.
Smit, who scored five goals and provided nine assists in 46 matches last season, initially felt he would leave. "To be honest, at first I had the feeling that I was going to leave, but then it turned out that the coach really wanted me to stay," the player said. A conversation with coach Lee-Roy Echteld ten days ago made the difference. "Then AZ didn’t want to let me go anymore."
The young forward feels perfectly at home at AZ. He emphasizes the importance of his social environment. Smit is surrounded by friends and family and feels his work in Alkmaar is not yet done. The club currently tops the Eredivisie with a perfect record of twelve points from four games. They have a goal difference of +10, with thirteen goals scored and only three conceded. That strong position, leading PSV by two points, certainly factored into his decision.
Smit has learned to put transfer speculation into perspective. At first he read a lot about potential clubs, but later he paid less attention to it. He acknowledges that many rumors are untrue and that he copes well with the noise. His happiness about staying at AZ is genuine. The club closed the door on a late-window exit, clarifying his future for now.
With his statistics from last season, Smit is a key component in AZ's attacking play. His nine assists demonstrate his creativity and vision. Coach Echteld can rely on a motivated player who has his best years ahead of him. The team must manage without the injured Stije Resink for now, making the role of other players like Smit even more important. The current squad information shows the makeup of the team.
Important matches are on the horizon. AZ travels to face Heerenveen, currently in 11th place, this Sunday. That fixture is the next step in the title race. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule to see what lies ahead.
Retaining a talent like Smit is a strong statement of ambition. AZ shows it can keep top players even when European elite clubs come calling. The club continues to build a team capable of challenging for the title. The current standings show a team in excellent form, with four consecutive wins. Confidence within the squad is high.
The focus is now entirely on the pitch. The next test is the away match against Heerenveen on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
