Injuries restricted the chances of Islington-born Ryan Smith at Arsenal - but the lightning-quick winger made it in America.
The exciting wide man rose through the youth ranks at London Colney before making his debut at the age of just 16 in a 1-1 League Cup draw against Rotherham.
Smith, an England youth international from the Under-16s through to the Under-20s, featured six times in the competition but could not make the breakthrough into Arsene Wenger's Premier League side as injuries took their toll.
He eventually moved to Derby in a permanent deal via a six-month loan spell with Leicester but struggled to settle. In 2007 he joined Millwall but made just 17 appearances in two seasons and headed to Crystal Palace via another loan spell, this time at Southampton.
Smith’s spell in south London did not last long and he departed for the MLS after just six appearances at Selhurst Park.
It proved to be the new lease of life Smith needed as he joined Kansas City Wizards in March 2010, scoring on his debut against DC United. He left in November 2011 to join Chivas.
Ryan Smith
