Jordan Smith, born on 8 December 1994, is an English goalkeeper who currently defends the goal for Hibernian in Scotland. Smith stands at an imposing 6 foot (1.85m) and weighs in at approximately 11 stone and 9 pounds (roughly 74kg). The number 13 jersey, often superstitiously avoided in football circles, is proudly worn by this talented shot-stopper.
Smith's career began as a fresh-faced trainee at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League back in July 2013. According to Transfermarkt, his debut season saw him earn a modest 15 appearances in league matches during the 2016 - 2017 season. This number grew respectably to 29 league appearances in the following 2017 - 2018 season. However, the seasons of 2019 - 2020 and 2020 - 2021 saw a marked decline in his regular participation, with Smith making a paltry two and one league appearances in each season respectively.
A brief interim from Forest came in November 2018 when Smith ventured on loan to Barnsley in England's League One. His stint was short-lived, seeing him return to Forest at the end of his loan period. His numbers, however, remained consistent with 15 first team showings in his debut season 2016 - 2017, and 29 in the next 2017 - 2018 season. Unfortunately, the trend of reduced game time continued with Smith making just two appearances in the 2019 - 2020 season, and merely one in the 2020 - 2021 season.
January 2019 saw another loan for Smith, this time to Mansfield Town, again in England's League One. As his contract with Mansfield ended, he returned to his parent club, Forest, where the pattern of appearances sadly did not improve.
In an attempt to shake things up, January 2023 saw a loan move to Huddersfield Town. Smith must've grown fond of the League One, however, as he transferred out from Nottingham Forest permanently in July 2023, favouring a move to Stockport County. A year later, a turn of fate saw him make a northward journey in July 2024 to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, a decision that appears to be paying off.
In the 2024 - 2025 season at Hibernian, Smith made a healthy 25 first team appearances in league matches, and he looks set to beat this number, already with five appearances this current season (2025 - 2026). His growth has also seen him gain experience in Europa League Qualifiers and Conference League Qualifiers for Hibernian, with two and four starts respectively.
Age 31 now, Smith, although never having had the pleasure of donning the hooped jersey of Celtic, remains a player of interest in the Scottish Premiership. End of the line or start of a new journey? Only time will tell for Jordan Smith.
