RANGERS can today confirm the signing of Kirsty Smith on a two-year deal.
The Scotland international joins the Gers as a free agent for the next two campaigns, having recently left English WSL 2 side Nottingham Forest.
Born in Dalkeith, she started her career in her home nation at Musselburgh Windsor before joining Hibernian to begin her youth career in July 2007. It would be her only spell playing at home to date, as she was part of the side that won back-to-back domestic doubles in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
During her time in the capital, she also claimed three Scottish Women’s Cups, now known as the Sky Sports Cup, in a row, before departing the capital side after 11 years in June 2018.
A fantastic opportunity to move down south then came about with English giants Manchester United, joining alongside former Ger Lizzie Arnot.
She debuted with the side in a League Cup victory over Liverpool, before going on to make 16 appearances for the Red Devils that season, as they claimed the FA Championship title and gained promotion to the Women’s Super League for the first time.
She scored her first goal for the team the following campaign in a League Cup group stage draw with Leicester, spending four years in total with the club she then swapped Manchester for London as a move to West Ham United came about in the summer of 2022.
The full-back would continue to gain impressive WSL experience with the English side in recent seasons, before her latest switch saw her move to England’s second tier with Nottingham Forest last summer, where she spent the last 12 months.
Smith also boasts a vastly impressive international career with Scotland, making over 60 caps to date for the national side.
She firstly represented her country at both Under-17s and 19s level, before making her senior debut in October 2014 in a World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.
Continuing to be a regular, she was part of the squad that participated in Scotland’s sole appearance at a World Cup finals when they qualified for the 2019 edition played in France, as well as competing in the 2017 European Championships in the Netherlands.
Since then, in recent years she has been part of the Scotland setup, most recently in the squad in 2025.
Having spent the last eight years south of the border, the right-back will now link up with Leanne Crichton’s squad for the upcoming season, having shared a dressing room with the Gers Head Coach during their time with Scotland.
Speaking after signing for Rangers, Smith said: “I am obviously really excited to be here and just be back home in Scotland. I have met all the girls, they are all so lovely, and I just can't wait to get started.
“I just think I have been away for a long time and I miss a lot of the family side of it as well.
“Being happy off the pitch and on the pitch will help me a lot as a player, and I think that comes hand in hand.”
Women’s Head Coach Leanne Crichton added: “I’m delighted to welcome Kirsty to Rangers. She's a player I’ve known for a long time through my time in the game and experience we’ve had together at Scotland, and she is someone who brings a real wealth of experience from competing at the highest level in the WSL in recent seasons.
“Kirsty is a proven winner who understands what it takes to perform in demanding environments. Her leadership, professionalism and versatility will be a huge asset to the group, and we're excited by the quality she'll add both on and off the pitch.
“As we continue to build a squad capable of challenging for success, it was important that we brought in players with the right mentality as well as the right ability. Kirsty embodies those qualities, and I'm looking forward to linking up with her again.
“We're pleased she's chosen Rangers for the next stage of her career, and we're confident she'll make a significant contribution to the team this season.”
Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director Donald Gillies also said: “We're very pleased to welcome Kirsty to Rangers and are glad to add a player of her quality and experience to our squad ahead of the new season.
“Kirsty has consistently demonstrated her ability at the highest level throughout her career, both at Scotland national team level with an impressive number of caps and down in England in the WSL. She is someone who will strengthen our squad immediately through her leadership, versatility and winning mentality.
“As we continue to develop every aspect of our women's programme, attracting players of Kirsty's calibre reflects the ambition we have for this team. We want to build a squad capable of competing for trophies while creating the right environment for sustained success.
“We're looking forward to seeing Kirsty begin this next chapter at Rangers, having chosen to move closer to home and are confident she will make a positive impact both on the pitch and within the wider group.”
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