Kees Smit Explains Why He Turned Down Real Madrid to Stay at AZ Alkmaar

Kees Smit, the promising midfielder from AZ Alkmaar, has spoken out about why he declined a major summer transfer despite strong interest from Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Dutch talent chose to continue his journey in the Eredivisie after important discussions behind closed doors with his current club.

Real Madrid's Midfield Search This Summer

Real Madrid was actively seeking midfield reinforcements during the recent transfer window. While they secured Bernardo Silva from Manchester City and young prospect Sergio Martinez, the club kept looking for more additions. Their top target was World Cup-winning Spain captain Rodri, who eventually signed with rivals Barcelona, forcing Madrid to explore other options.

Kees Smit appeared high on the list of alternatives. Despite interest from several elite European clubs, the midfielder surprised many by committing to AZ Alkmaar for the immediate future.

Coach Lee-Roy Echteld’s Role Was Key

Speaking through AZ Alkmaar’s official channels, Smit revealed that he initially expected to leave this summer. The change came after AZ's head coach, Lee-Roy Echteld, made it clear he wanted him to stay.

“To be honest, at first I thought I would leave, but then the coach really wanted me to stay,” Smit said, as quoted by AS. “I feel good here, surrounded by friends and family. That’s why I stayed.”

The midfielder also mentioned that about ten days before the window closed, AZ decided not to let him go. He took this positively, feeling he still has unfinished business at the club.

“Ten days ago I had a conversation and then AZ didn’t want to let me go anymore,” Smit added. “I took it positively because I feel like I’m not done here yet.”

Ignoring Transfer Rumors

The attention surrounding a potential move to a club of Real Madrid’s magnitude comes with intense media scrutiny. Smit admitted that at first he followed the news closely but later distanced himself from the rumors because some reports were inaccurate.

“At first I read a lot, but then I started to do it less,” he noted. “Because some things are not true either. I can cope with it quite well. In short, I’m here and I’m happy to be here.”

Focusing on Growth at AZ Alkmaar

With the transfer window closed, Kees Smit is now fully focused on his development at AZ Alkmaar's AFAS Stadion. Staying in a familiar environment ensures he gets regular first-team minutes, which is vital for his progress under coach Echteld's guidance.

His recent performances have justified this faith. After helping AZ lift the KNVB Cup last season, Smit played a key role in their 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven to win the Johan Cruyff Shield at the start of the new campaign.

If he continues performing at this level in the Dutch league, top clubs like Real Madrid will surely renew their interest. For now, Smit’s priority is to drive AZ's domestic campaign and prove he’s ready for a big step forward when the time comes.

• LaLiga Match: Real Betis vs Real Madrid on 24 Sept 2026, 21:00
• Eredivisie Match: SC Heerenveen vs AZ Alkmaar on 6 Sept 2026, 14:30