Lewis Smith (footballer)

Smith attended St Ninian's High School, Giffnock^[2] and was involved with the youth system at Hamilton Academical, the club his family supported,^[3][4] from the age of 9.^[5]

After signing a professional contract in summer 2016,^[3] he appeared for the club's age-restricted teams in three editions of the Scottish Challenge Cup^[6] and in the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League,^[6][7][8] before making his debut for the Accies senior team on 31 October 2018, appearing from the bench for the last ten minutes of a 3–0 away defeat to Aberdeen in the 2018–19 Scottish Premiership.^[9]

Smith made his first league start for the club on 10 August 2019 against Kilmarnock at New Douglas Park; he scored the opening goal and created the second in a 2–0 victory, receiving praise for his performance.^[10] In November 2019 he signed a new contract with Hamilton, running until summer 2022.^[11]

A hamstring injury disrupted his season in 2020–21 as Hamilton were relegated from the Premiership.^[12] He signed a further contract extension, until summer 2024, in November 2021.^[13] The club were relegated from the Scottish Championship in 2023, but Smith had an important role as they returned via the promotion play-offs a year later, scoring in wins over Alloa Athletic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.^[14]

In May 2024, Smith signed a pre-contract with Livingston, effective from 1 June, on a two-year deal.^[15]

Smith has represented Scotland at under-17 youth level;^[16] he sat four of his Higher school exams while on international duty at the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Croatia.^[4] In August 2019 he was called-up by the under-21 squad,^[5] making his debut in September 2019.^[17]