Netherlands
The Midfield Metronome
The Dragoons Dutchmeester Rob Smits has been playing football since the age of five. Rob spent his entire footballing career playing for local amateur side Velo Wateringen. Smits was part of a Championship winning side and came runners up in a national amateur cup. Sadly, his participation in the cup final lasted three minutes due to a dislocated shoulder – something that will come back with vengeance in the 2023/24 season.
After leaving the Netherlands for Poland, Rob continued playing football in the Kraków Biznesliga and met fellow Dutch Dragoon, Brian Lemmen in a friendly fixture. Brian told Rob about the Dragoons and he soon begun training with the club. Rob initially had reservations about leaving the short-sided game in the Biznesliga, but after a successful trial match decided to join the Dragoons full-time.
Rob has impressed with his technique, ability to find space and in picking a pass – usually to Yuri Samyonov. He has added goals to the side from midfield, scoring his first and second strikes against Victoria in 2021/22. On more than one occasion, Smits has been a matchwinner for the Expats.
The Dutchman provided one of the best moments in the Dragoons history scoring a vital winning goal in the crunch 3-2 victory over Rybitwy, with his whole family in attendance. Rob’s dad Loek is a true fan and is a regular attendee of games when visiting Kraków!
#FunFact
In his youth, Rob was keen on break dancing. He attended a dancing school for at least 3 years, where he would often have to do a yearly show that included having to do a solo on stage!
