Stellenbosch FC has officially confirmed the permanent transfer of academy graduate and hometown talent Tylon Smith to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Smith’s move to the United Kingdom marks a milestone moment for the club, as the 20-year-old becomes the first player to rise through Stellenbosch’s full development pipeline—from Under-14 to reserves—before making the leap abroad.
“This is a proud day for the club, the community, and for Tylon’s family,” said Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie. “We’ve watched him grow from a boy in Jamestown into a player ready to take on the global stage, and we have every confidence he’ll thrive at QPR.”
U20 AFCON champion 🏆
— QPR FC (@QPR) July 23, 2025
U20 AFCON best player ⭐️
Tylon Smith's arrived from South Africa! 🇿🇦
The club hailed Smith’s journey as a testament to its commitment to nurturing young talent and building tangible pathways to professional football.
“Tylon’s success is the result of years of dedication—not just from him, but from every coach and mentor who helped shape his progress,” added Benadie. “His story proves our development structures are working, and we hope it inspires the next wave of players to dream big.”
Smith’s overseas move follows his standout performance at the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped South Africa win their first-ever title and earned both Player of the Tournament and Team of the Tournament honours.
Everyone at Stellenbosch FC sends their best wishes to Tylon as he embarks on this exciting new chapter in his career and looks forward to watching his potential unfold on the international stage.