Bio
Tom Smith joined the U’s on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023, following on from a fruitful loan spell from Arsenal towards the back of the 2022/23 campaign.
The imposing goalkeeper began his career in the capital with the Gunners, but didn’t make an appearance for the senior team, with his first team experience coming in the form of loan spells.
His first was to National League side Dover Athletic, making a handful of appearances in the 2020/21 season, before a second loan spell away from Arsenal to Welling United the following season.
It was his third stint away from the Emirates where Tom saw more first team action in the National League with Bromley. The goalkeeper joined the London club for the first half of the campaign, making thirteen appearances for the club, before being recalled in order to join Colchester United in January 2023.
Initially signed as a back-up with Sam Hornby injured, Smith had to wait for his opportunity, but grabbed it with both hands when presented – he kept three clean sheets in his first three games for the club, making him the first goalkeeper in over twenty years to achieve the feat.
And Tom would sign a permanent deal to keep him in North Essex later that summer, joining in the summer of 2023 on a two-year deal.
“…My favourite thing, which I love, is when a striker shoots or thinks they’re going to score and you make a save, and their face is just like “Oh my god, how did I miss that?” And it’s actually because I saved it rather than them missing it.”
Tom Smith, Beyond 90 Minutes: Matchday Insight (Ep. 5)