Tyler Gavin Junior Smith (born 4 December 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.
Career Sheffield United Born in Sheffield, Smith began his career with Sheffield United. He was a ballboy with the club. He spent the first half of the 2018–19 season on loan at Barrow, before moving on loan to Doncaster Rovers in January 2019. He scored two goals on his debut on 19 January 2019, and was praised by manager Grant McCann as being "a star in the making". In July 2019 he moved on loan to Bristol Rovers for the 2019–20 season. In January 2020 was joined Rochdale on loan.
On 6 August 2020 he moved on loan to Swindon Town for the 2020–21 season. On 8 September 2020 he scored his first goal for Swindon in an EFL Trophy tie against West Bromwich Albion U21s.
Hull City He signed for Hull City in August 2021, and made his debut for the club on 28 August in a 0–0 home draw against AFC Bournemouth. He scored his first goal for the club within the 1st minute of an FA Cup match against Everton on 8 January 2022.
In January 2023 Smith joined Oxford United on loan until the end of the season.
Smith was released by Hull City at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Bradford City After his release, Smith signed a three-year deal with Bradford City. After the first few matches of the 2023–24 season, he said he was looking forward to playing more football. He scored his first goal for Bradford on 29 August 2023, in the EFL Cup. He later said the squad was deep enough to cope without injured fellow striker Andy Cook, with Smith himself being injured a few days later. On 31 October he scored a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy, to send the club through to the next round. He later praised teammate Kevin McDonald, who had served as caretaker manager.
After scoring the winning goal in a game against Accrington Stanley, Smith was compared to former Bradford City player Nahki Wells. By December 2023, Smith had scored 6 goals in 4 games in the EFL Trophy for the club. He later spoke positively about his striking partnership with Andy Cook.
After losing his first-team place, on 5 March 2024, Smith scored his first goal for the club since December 2023. On 23 April, in a 10 minute appearance, he scored the winning goal in the penultimate game of the season, to keep the club in contention for the play-offs.
He lost his first-team place again during the 2024–25 season; as of January 2025, he had not been in a matchday squad for two months.
On 17 January 2025, Smith returned to Barrow on loan until the end of the season. Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Smith was told by Bradford City manager Graham Alexander that he could leave the club, with former club Barrow said to be interested in signing him, although Smith turned down the chance to return to Barrow. He left the club by mutual consent on 1 September 2025.
Rochdale On 3 October 2025, Smith returned to Rochdale, now of the National League, on a deal until the end of the 2025–26 season; the move saw him reunite with brother Kyron Gordon, having previously played together at Sheffield United.
Derry City On 1 August 2026, he signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.
Personal life His younger brother is fellow footballer Kyron Gordon. Smith became a father in September 2024, after his wife gave birth.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSheffield United2018–19Championship00000000002019–20Premier League00000000002020–21Premier League00000000002021–22Championship0000100010Total0000100010Barrow (loan)2018–19National League23101100002411Doncaster Rovers (loan)2018–19League One142000000142Bristol Rovers (loan)2019–20League One203302230285Rochdale (loan)2019–20League One4100000041Swindon Town (loan)2020–21League One2370010232610Hull City2021–22Championship2311100002422022–23Championship143100000153Total374210000395Oxford United (loan)2022–23League One7000000070Bradford City 2023–24League Two38510315647122024–25League Two5000002070Total4351031765412Barrow (loan)2024–25League Two205000000205Rochdale2025–26National League225001011246Derry City2026League of Ireland Premier Division2011000031Career total215428373131024358
Honours Rochdale National League play-offs: 2026
References