Doncaster Rovers loan Matt Smith - but not the midfielder they borrowed last season

Doncaster Rovers have made their first loan signing of the summer. For the second season running they will have a Premier League midfielder called Matt Smith directing their play, but this one comes from Arsenal, rather than Manchester City.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 5th Jul 2021, 15:00 BST

Rovers want to be less reliant on players borrowed from top-flight football under new manager Richie Wellens but they will still try to make use of them. This will be the second time he has worked under Wellens.

Smith is a 20-year-old deep-lying playmaker who is yet to make his debut for the Gunners, but was on the bench in the 2020 FA Cup final.

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He had loan at Swindon Town under Wellens, but it was cut short mid-season so he could join Charlton Atheltic. By then Wellens had moved on too, to Salford City.

ARRIVAL: Arsenal youngster Matt SmithARRIVAL: Arsenal youngster Matt Smith
ARRIVAL: Arsenal youngster Matt Smith

Smith's namesake, a Welsh international who was part of their Euro 2020 squad, made 43 appearances on loan from Manchester City last season.

Wellens has already signed Ben Close, Kyle Knoyle, Ro-Shaun Williams and Tommy Rowe on a permanent basis.

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Related topics:Richie WellensManchester CityArsenalPremier League