Jayden Smith

Jayden Smith signed his maiden professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix a couple of weeks before the start of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League, after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training.

The young centre back stands 1.90m tall and graduated from the Phoenix academy, which he joined at the start of 2023 after playing his junior football for his hometown club FC Nelson.

Smith was converted into a centre back when he arrived at the academy, having been a midfielder in Nelson.

After three substitute appearances in the reserves’ first six matches to start the 2024 Central League, Smith established himself in their starting XI.

He started 11 of their final 12 matches, including the team’s 2-0 win over Miramar Rangers, before joining the first team for the start of pre-season training.

He made his A-League debut off the bench in round one of the 2024-25 season against Western United, while earning his first international call-up at U-20 level.

> 2025-26 season

Jayden Smith represented New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile during October, earning playing time in all three fixtures.

He made one A-League appearance, playing the full 90 against the Newcastle Jets at home.

Smith also played five times for the men’s reserves during the National League Championship, helping the Nix to a clean sheet against Coastal Spirit.