​Aberdeen have signed Lewis Smith from Livingston for an undisclosed fee, with manager Stephen Robinson revealing that he had previously tried to secure the winger for past clubs without success. The 26-year-old, who has put pen to a three-year deal with the Scottish Premiership side, spent two years at Livingston after leaving Hamilton Academical. Born in Giffnock, Smith made 40 appearances last season, starting all but nine of them, for a side relegated after finishing bottom of Scotland’s top flight. Aberdeen say they faced strong competition for the winger they had earmarked as a replacement for Topi Keskinen, who was set to move to Odense. “As soon as Topi Keskinen’s move was completed, Lewis quickly became our priority and we’re pleased to have got the deal done,” Robinson said.
Aberdeen also announced the sale of striker Lazetic to Noah. The question of which clubs in the Premiership have recruited and released players this summer is on many fans’ minds. “I’ve admired Lewis for a long time and tried to sign him at previous clubs, but I wasn’t in a position to afford him,” Robinson added. “He’s consistently impressed us whenever we’ve watched him, but what really stood out was that the numbers backed up exactly what our eyes were telling us.”
Overall, Smith made 81 appearances for Livingston, scoring 12 goals—seven of them last season—and adding 12 assists. “Some of the performance data our recruitment department tracks placed him among the best wide players in the Premiership last season,” Robinson explained. “We can all overlook what’s right on the doorstep at times. Lewis has proven over several years that he can perform consistently in this league, and we believe there is still plenty more to come from him.”
Dons supporters can expect an energetic, attack-minded winger who is deceptively quick, works tirelessly for the team, is comfortable with either foot, and carries a genuine goal threat. “He finished as Livingston’s leading league goalscorer last season despite playing predominantly in the wide area, which tells you a lot about the attacking qualities he’ll bring.” An “excited” Smith noted that he had made his Hamilton debut at Pittodrie and believes he has “a lot more to give” for his new club. Smith came through Accies’ youth ranks and signed a two-year contract when moving to West Lothian in 2024, but that deal was extended to summer 2027 after a season. Livingston’s sporting director David Martindale said the sale demonstrated their player-trading model was working. “We signed Lewis on a pre-contract when he was with Hamilton in League 1, and that’s a strategy we’d obviously like to continue going forward,” he stated. “We’re in a good place at the moment and, subject to Governing Body Endorsement, we’ll be announcing Smithy’s replacement very soon. He was identified early on in anticipation that Lewis could move.”
Smith’s arrival at Pittodrie coincides with Aberdeen selling striker Marko La to another club.