Stellenbosch Football Club have announced the permanent transfer of Tylon Smith to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday, marking a historic milestone for the club’s youth development system.
QPR have confirmed the permanent move of South African talent Tylon Smith who is the first player to graduate through all tiers of Stellenbosch FC’s academy—U-14, U-16, U-18, and the reserves—before earning an international move.
Born and raised in Jamestown, his journey from grassroots football to the global stage reflects the club’s long-term commitment to nurturing young talent.
We are proud to confirm that academy graduate and Stellenbosch local, Tylon Smith, has completed a landmark transfer to EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers 🏴✍️
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) July 23, 2025
“This is an incredibly proud moment for the club, the town of Stellenbosch, and especially Tylon’s family,” said Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie. “We’ve seen him grow from a young boy into a player ready to shine on a bigger stage. We’re confident he’ll thrive at QPR.”
Benadie added, “At Stellenbosch FC, we’re focused on building genuine opportunities for our academy players, and Tylon’s transfer shows that our pathways are delivering results. His success is the product of years of dedication—not just his, but that of everyone who played a role in his development. We hope his story inspires future generations.”
🗣️ QPR CEO Christian Nourry on Tylon Smith:
“We are happy to beat significant competition to land the services of Tylon today. His raw attributes give him every opportunity to become successful.
"We're excited that the player feels, as we do, that we are best placed to develop… pic.twitter.com/XgufiPzhPV
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) July 23, 2025
Smith’s move comes on the heels of his standout performances for Amajita at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped the national team secure their first-ever title. His impressive campaign saw him named Player of the Tournament and earn a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
