SA's AFCON winner officially joins former English Premier League club on long-term deal from PSL side - 'The style of play here is similar to how we play in South Africa and it’s a style that I really like'

English Championship side Queens Park Rangers have signed defender Tylon Smith from Stellenbosch FC.

The length of the 20-year-old is yet to be disclosed, but he will begin with QPR's development side.

Smith earned himself a move to the championship side following impressive performances at the 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, where he was named the best player of the tournament.

“I’m very happy to be here,” said Smith on the QPR website.

“I’m really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent.

“QPR is well-known for developing young players. The style of play here is similar to how we play in South Africa and it’s a style that I really like.”

Although Smith had yet to establish himself as a Stellenbosch first-team player, he joined several young South African players who had been breaking through into the overseas market.

However, being sent to the QPR development squad makes him join the likes of Cassius Mailula, Olwethu Makhanya and Shandre Campbell, who left South Africa as developed players only to turn out for their new clubs' reserve sides.

That is unlike the likes of Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena, who embraced big challenges as first-team players in Europe at a younger age.

The move to QPR could enhance Smith's chances of breaking into the Bafana Bafana fold.

But that would need him to secure a place in the QPR first team and become a regular as the national team prepares to go to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals.