Birmingham’s new wonderkid Alfie Smith receives seal of approval from Jude Bellingham after making his Under 18s debut aged 14
- Birmingham’s 14-year-old keeper Alfie Smith made his debut for the Under 18s
- Jude Bellingham gave Birmingham’s post marking the occasion a ‘thumbs up’
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why it makes more sense for Manchester United to sell Marcus Rashford
Birmingham City’s latest prodigy Alfie Smith became the youngest player to appear for the club’s U18s since Jude Bellingham when he made his debut against Ipswich Town at just 14 years of age at the weekend.
News of the teen stopper’s appearance was even given a ‘thumbs up’ by Real Madrid and England star Bellingham who liked his old club’s post on Instagram.
Smith, who only turned 14 in December, is a regular at his age level, but has been training with the older groups. He hails from Sheldon in Birmingham and attends Priory School in Edgbaston, where his favourite subject, unsurprisingly, is PE.
He started out as a striker and still likes a run out up front when allowed but also represented his county as a centre half.
His able footwork has obviously helped him progress into a modern-day goalkeeper and, while he is an admirer of former Arsenal and England keeper David Seaman, he sharpens his skills studying another role model, former Watford and Wrexham keeper Ben Foster.
Smith is the latest in a long line of talents to step off the academy conveyor belt at Birmingham who under their new American ownership, fronted by financier Tom Wagner and American football star Tom Brady, are determined to build a young team that can take the club back to the Premier League.
Alfie Smith (pictured) made his debut for Birmingham Under 18s at the age of just 14 on the weekend
Smith became the youngest player to feature for the Under 18s since Jude Bellingham, who now plays for Real Madrid after making his breakthrough at Birmingham
Smith has also been involved in England youth level camps as he continues his rapid rise
He is on associate forms but is due to sign a scholarship deal this summer and League One leaders Birmingham are keen to tie his long-term future down as soon as possible with interest from suitors beginning to grow.
He had been on the bench for previous games for the U18s but made his first start on Saturday in the 4-3 win over Ipswich Town.
Martyn Olorenshaw, Birmingham U18’s head coach, told the club website: ‘He was very composed. He handled himself very well, which I knew he would. For an Under 14 to come in and play in an U18s game is a big stretch, especially in that position. I am delighted that he has got his first scholar debut. I am sure there will be many more appearances to come.’
The youngster is regarded as a grounded personality, with a solid work ethic with coaches crediting his father Jim, while Birmingham’s academy keeper coach Dan Tumelty-Bevan has also been a big influence.
His rapid progress has already alerted top clubs who have been following his development through England camps and Birmingham’s junior ranks. However, Smith is understood to hold Bellingham’s route to the top as evidence that he could follow a similar career path with England recognition his long-term goal.
Birmingham are braced for attention from higher placed admirers in the summer but are hopeful their ambitious plans and potential pathway to first team football will be enough to convince Smith that his immediate future lies within St Andrews.
