Given the Frenchman’s success in developing youngsters at former club Stade Rennais, there was a notable move from the Hoops to bring in some bright prospects for the future.
Some have gone straight in as first-team aces, while others will be out to impress in the development squad.
Among those looking to catch the eye in the academy setup is Tylon Smith, a central defender who was signed from Stellenbosch FC in his native South Africa. There has already been excitement over his future, with his move being met with a very positive reaction from the rainbow nation.
Smith has only made one QPR appearance to date, but if there was any doubt over his potential, his nomination for the CAF Young Player of the Year title will put those to bed. The 20-year-old is one of three finalists for the notable African award, alongside Ajax’s Abdellah Ouazane and Othmane Maamma of Watford.
QPR starlet Tylon Smith bidding to follow in some big footsteps
The African continent is home to some top, top talents. This winter’s AFCON tournament will put that on display to a wider audience as always, so it is a real achievement for Smith to be in the final three for such an award.
Ouazane and Maamma offer some stiff competition for the QPR ace though. The former is just 16, on the books at Ajax and captain of the Morocco U17s, while the latter got a move to Watford after catching the eye with Montpellier and won the U20s FIFA World Cup’s Player of the Tournament award just a couple of months ago.
Nonetheless, Smith is hugely regarded in South Africa especially. His performances for his country’s U20s saw him draw wider attention, and he feels destined for a future in their senior squad.
There are some big names who have won the CAF’s Young Player of the Year gong, showing just what excitement there is over Smith’s potential. Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi are the two most notable winners, while Lamine Camara – who won it back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 – is now emerging as a standout for Monaco and Senegal.
CAF Young Player of the Year – other winners
| Player | Year | Current club |
| Pape Matar Sarr | 2022 | Spurs |
| Patson Daka | 2017 | Leicester City |
| Alex Iwobi | 2016 | Fulham |
A future in the QPR first-team awaits?
At just 20, Smith has plenty of time to progress and maximise his potential. QPR will be hoping he can do that under their watch, so they will be carefully managing his progression.
Development squad outings will be the most regularly source of his game time this season. However, in the long run, it would not be a surprise to see the talent emerge in the first-team ranks more and more as time progresses.
Steve Cook turns 35 later this season, so there will be eyes on prospects who could assume his spot. Jake Clarke-Salter’s injury issues could mean another place opens up.
Smith will be out to prove he can land a spot as he looks to come good on rave reviews from Africa.
