Banyana Banyana midfielder Leandra Smeda has changed colours in Spain.
She will now be seen in the blue and white of Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona, otherwise known as RCD Espanyol in the Segunda Division Femenina (Second Division), after she parted ways with DUX Logrono in the same league.
The 34 year old has signed a two year contract.
“I am very excited to sign with Espanyol and grateful to the club for the opportunity, and hope to them achieve their goal of promotion into the Primera Division. I will certainly do my best,” said Smeda from Spain where she has already started training with her new teammates.
The club is hoping the South African will be a useful asset in their ambitions of returning to top flight women’s football in Spain.
“Leandra Smeda arrives at Espanyol Femenino, from DUX Logroño – our rival in First Division – to provide potential, experience and defensive forcefulness in the centre of the field. Her natural position is that of midfielder, but she can also play as a winger,” said the club in a statement.
Chomi, as she is fondly known to her South African peers, becomes the tenth player to be acquired as they club tries to build a formidable team for the season.
And she comes with a wealth of experience.
Her first stint in Europe was when she joined Gintra Universitetas in Lithuania in 2018 after a spell with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in the Sasol League.
She was on the books of Vittsjö GIK in Sweden, FC Famalicão in Portugal and more recently with DUX Logrono in Spain. Prior to returning to Europe in Spain last season, she had returned to her former team UWC, who were by now campaigning in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The hardworking player has featured prominently for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana over the years, making 100 appearances, scoring 22 goals.
She is a two-time Olympian after representing her country at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, as well as at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and several editions of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Espanyol Women have now played two league games, beating FC Barcelona B 5-0 and they played to a 1-1 all draw against SE AEM.
Thanks to a 1-0 win over SD Huesca, Espanyol W has now progressed to the second round of the Queen’s Cup.
Their next assignment is against Athletic Bilbao B Women on 30 September 2023 due to the international break – and Smeda could very well make her debut.
Espanyol Women are currently third on the table with four points – two behind Deportivo La Coruna and Alhama who are first and second respectively.
RCD ESPANYOL 2023/24 RESULTS:
2023/09/09 – League
Espanyol Fem 5 · 1 FC Barcelona B Fem
2023/09/17 – League
AEM Fem 1 · 1 Espanyol Fem
2023/09/13 – Cup
Huesca Fem 0 · 1 Espanyol Fem
By Matlhomola Morake
