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Las Vegas Lights FC signs Shawn Smart to new contract

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 01/25/25, 3:00PM EST

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20-year-old signs long-term deal after standout campaign as first-year pro


Las Vegas Lights FC has signed defender Shawn Smart to a multi-year contract extension after his standout first campaign in the professional ranks. | Photo courtesy Las Vegas Lights FC

LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Lights FC announced on Saturday it had signed a new contract with the club through the 2026 USL Championship season with a club option for the 2027 campaign. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

The 20-year-old right back appeared in 35 matches for the Lights during the 2024 season, including all but two regular season matches. He contributed with two goals, one of them a game-winner against San Antonio FC, and one game-winning assist against Sacramento Republic FC.

Smart also featured as one of the top two-way full backs in the Championship, recording 41 shots, 26 chances created and 50 completed dribbles while also winning 39 tackles and 217 duels and recording 38 interceptions and 130 recoveries.

“Shawn is a cornerstone piece of this team, and we’re thrilled to sign him to this new contract,” said Lights Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “We identified Shawn as a top underclassman prospect out of Clemson University last year, and it was a pleasure to watch his growth as a first-year professional throughout the season. We’re very bullish on his potential as a player and excited to have him committed to Las Vegas long-term.”

Smart joined the Lights from Clemson University, where he won the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament. He played for two seasons with the Tigers, participating in 36 matches and contributing two goals and three assists.

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