PERS. INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

• RKSV Blauw-Zwart | Youth
• ADO Den Haag | Youth – 2018
• RSC Anderlecht | 2023
• Excelsior Rotterdam | 2023 – 2024
• Glasgow City FC | 2024 – …

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

Hey I am Kimberley Smit you can call me Kim. I am from the Netherlands and play for Glasgow City.

You started your football journey at RKSV Blauw-Zwart in the Netherlands – what do you remember most about those early days, and what first drew you to football?

I was already involved in a lot of other sports like handball, judo, and tennis, but I also really wanted to play football. My mum thought it was just another phase, so she didn’t think too much of it. 

I looked it up myself and found out I could train with a boys’ team at Blauw-Zwart, and I was able to finish the season with them! I played with the boys until the U17s, and they always respected me.

Sometimes, I also played with the women’s team as a second game on the Saturday. I had a great time here and it was a great experience and it is a fantastic club!

How did your time in the ADO Den Haag youth academy help you develop technically and mentally as a player?

This was my first time in a more professional environment and my first time playing with girls instead of boys. I learned a lot there and made some amazing friends for life. It wasn’t easy to balance my last year of high school, my first year of college, and football training, but it helped me mature a lot as a player and as a person.

You spent time in the United States with the Memphis Tigers at the University of Memphis. What motivated your decision to combine studying and playing football abroad?

I’d always heard about going to the U.S. for football, but honestly, I never thought it was something that I would do. I’m a family person and love being home, so it never really crossed my mind. My English wasn’t great either, so it was definitely a challenge.

But in the end, going to America was one of the best experiences of my life. It was also one of the most challenging ones, but I learned so much during my time there, both on and off the pitch. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

After your time in the U.S., you joined RSC Anderlecht in Belgium in January 2023. What drew you to that move, and how was the transition back to European football?

After finishing college, I knew I wanted to play professionally. I’d already made my debut for ADO in the Eredivisie, but I wasn’t satisfied with this being the end of my journey, I knew there was more out there.

Playing for Anderlecht and competing in Belgium was an incredible experience. Winning the league was amazing, and the team made it so much easier to settle in. The girls were really welcoming, and that helped a lot with being away from home again.

Just six months later you signed with Excelsior Rotterdam and made your debut against AZ Alkmaar. Can you tell us what it was like for you personally?

After Belgium, I just wanted to be closer to home. Rotterdam was perfect, close enough, but still a new challenge. The coach made me feel really appreciated and brought such positive energy.

Even though we didn’t have the best results in the league, and I wasn’t used to losing that often, I loved my time there. The club felt like family and truly felt like home.

In the summer of 2024, you made the move to Glasgow City LFC. What attracted you to Scotland and to this club in particular?

What really stood out to me about Glasgow City is that it’s a women’s stand-alone club with such a strong history and identity. The success they’ve had over the years, not just in Scotland but in Europe too, really inspired me. When the opportunity came, I thought it was amazing what they’d built, and I wanted to be part of something that special.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about Scottish culture since moving here that surprised or amused you?

Honestly, the accents! I struggled a bit in the beginning, and still do sometimes, to understand people with strong Scottish accents. But everyone’s been so friendly and helpful, which makes it easier.

You’ve now played in four countries – the Netherlands, the U.S., Belgium, and Scotland. What’s been the most valuable lesson from experiencing so many football cultures?

Every place has something unique and special. Each country has taught me different things and helped me grow as both a person and a player.

I think I learned the most in the U.S. That’s where I really had to adapt and push myself, I didn’t even speak English at first, and it was my first time living away from home and on my own. My teammates became like family and my best friends. It’s hard knowing I can’t see them as often now.

Americans have such a strong mindset. I learned there that giving up is never an option, and that you can push yourself much further than you think. That’s something I carry with me and strive for both on and off the pitch.

What are some personal goals — on or off the pitch — that you’d love to achieve in the next few years?

I want to reach my full potential, both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, my dream as a kid was always to play for Ajax, and I’d also love to play in England someday. I want to keep learning, developing, and seeing how far I can push myself.

Off the pitch, I want to make sure I spend enough time with my family and friends. It can be hard with a busy schedule, but they mean so much to me. Other than that I want to finish my personal training course that I am doing right now and keep myself busy outside of football. I’m not sure yet what I’ll do after football, but I want to keep my options open and we’ll see what the future brings!