Matt Smith thankful to Leeds United for Championship career ahead of 'fierce' Elland Road return

Former Leeds United striker Matt Smith has reflected on his year with the club as the moment that made his Championship career.

The 30-year-old towering forward spent the 2013/14 campaign with the Whites having made the switch from League One outfit Oldham Athletic.

Smith scored 14 goals across all competitions for Leeds during his short spell as he made the step up into the second division for the first time.

In the summer of 2014 he put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at Elland Road after a bright start to life with his new employers but was sold to division rivals Fulham just nine days later amid ownership struggles.

A spell with the Cottagers followed in the capital before a loan deal with Bristol City transpired just a few months later.

Smith moved onto to London neighbours Queens Park Rangers in 2017 before signing with the Lions at the start of the current term.

He has bagged seven goals and four assists in 24 league appearances for Gary Rowett’s men this season and will be reunited with his former side on Tuesday evening in LS11.

Smith, though, says he owes a lot to the Whites and credits his year in West Yorkshire as the one that built the platform for his career in the Championship to date.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Smith told the South London Press of returning to his former club.

“I love playing at Elland Road. It was a home ground that I had a lot of success at.

“It will be a great atmosphere and two teams near the top of the table.

“It was quite an up and down year [he had at Leeds] from an ownership perspective. We had quite a few off-the-field issues when I was there.

“But it’s a huge club with huge tradition. I was only there for a season but managed to get myself 14 goals. That’s what catapulted my Championship career.

“Getting that number of goals in my first season in the Championship is something I’ll never forget. They have got a fierce fanbase.”