Gijs Smal is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Feyenoord. Born in De Rijp, Netherlands, on August 31, 1997, Smal grew up in North Holland before developing through the youth systems of SV De Rijp, AFC ’34 and FC Volendam.
Smal comes from a supportive family and was accompanied by his parents, brothers and girlfriend when he signed for Feyenoord in 2024. Away from football, he is in a long-term relationship with Noor de Groot, with whom he has a daughter named Zoë Isabelle Maria Smal.
Who Are Gijs Smal’s Parents?
The names of Gijs Smal’s parents have not been disclosed in reliable public sources. Nevertheless, both his mother and father have supported his football career and were present when he completed his transfer to Feyenoord in May 2024.
Smal was born and raised in De Rijp, a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. His early career began at local club SV De Rijp before he moved to AFC ’34 in Alkmaar and later joined the FC Volendam academy in 2012.
The journey between different clubs during his youth would have required considerable commitment from Smal and his family. However, the defender has not shared detailed information about his parents’ professions or personal backgrounds.
Who Is Gijs Smal’s Father?
Gijs Smal’s father has occasionally accompanied him during important moments in his career, but his name and occupation have not been publicly confirmed.
He was among the relatives present when Gijs signed a four-year contract with Feyenoord. The occasion marked an important step for the family after watching Smal progress from amateur football in De Rijp to the Eredivisie.
There is no reliable evidence that Smal’s father was a professional footballer or worked within the sport. Any claims about his identity or career should therefore be treated as unverified.
Who Is Gijs Smal’s Mother?
The identity of Gijs Smal’s mother also remains private. Her name, occupation and family background have not been revealed in established interviews or official player profiles.
Like Gijs’s father, she attended his Feyenoord signing in 2024. Her presence alongside other relatives demonstrated that the move was not only a professional achievement for the player but also a significant family occasion.
Smal has generally protected his parents from unnecessary public attention, sharing little information about their lives away from football.
Does Gijs Smal Have Any Siblings?
Gijs Smal has brothers, although their names and personal details have not been widely reported. His brothers were present with his parents and girlfriend when he completed his move to Feyenoord.
It is unclear exactly how many brothers Smal has because reliable public sources have not provided a complete account of his immediate family. There is also no confirmed information indicating whether he has any sisters.
Smal’s siblings are private individuals, and there is no evidence that any of them have pursued professional football careers.
Who Is Gijs Smal’s Girlfriend, Noor de Groot?
Gijs Smal’s longtime girlfriend is Noor de Groot. The couple have been together since at least the period when Smal played for FC Volendam.
Noor studied Sport and Exercise at Horizon College, according to earlier Dutch profiles about the couple. She is also interested in fitness, horse riding, travel and spending time with friends and family.
She supported Smal when he left FC Volendam to sign for FC Twente in 2020. The couple subsequently relocated to the Enschede area, where Gijs spent four seasons before joining Feyenoord.
When Smal signed his Feyenoord contract in May 2024, Noor accompanied him to the club alongside his parents and brothers. The move brought the couple closer to their roots in North Holland.
Are Gijs Smal and Noor de Groot Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Gijs Smal and Noor de Groot are married. Dutch publications generally describe Noor as his girlfriend or partner rather than his wife.
The couple maintain a relatively private relationship despite occasionally sharing family moments through social media. Unless they publicly announce a marriage, Noor should be described as Gijs Smal’s longtime girlfriend and the mother of his daughter.
Does Gijs Smal Have Children?
Gijs Smal has one publicly known child. He and Noor de Groot welcomed their daughter, Zoë Isabelle Maria Smal, on June 30, 2024.
The arrival of Zoë came shortly after Gijs completed his transfer from FC Twente to Feyenoord. It meant that the summer of 2024 brought two major changes to his life: becoming a father for the first time and beginning a new stage of his football career.
Smal later discussed his first experiences of fatherhood during an interview with Feyenoord. However, he and Noor have avoided sharing excessive personal information about their daughter.
No credible source has reported that the couple have any other children. Zoë therefore remains Gijs Smal’s only publicly known child as of 2026.
Gijs Smal’s Family Life Away from Football
Smal appears to have a close relationship with his immediate family. His parents, brothers and girlfriend all attended his presentation at Feyenoord, highlighting their involvement in the important moments of his career.
His move to Rotterdam also had practical advantages for the family. After spending four years in the eastern Netherlands with FC Twente, Smal returned to the western part of the country, closer to De Rijp and the region where he grew up.
Despite his increasingly prominent role in Dutch football, Smal does not regularly discuss his parents or siblings in interviews. Most of his public comments remain focused on football, his performances and his ambitions with Feyenoord.
How Gijs Smal’s Family Supported His Career
Gijs Smal’s football journey began at SV De Rijp before he moved to AFC ’34. In 2012, he joined FC Volendam’s academy and eventually made his professional debut against De Graafschap in September 2017.
His breakthrough during the 2019/20 season earned him a transfer to FC Twente. Smal developed into an established Eredivisie defender in Enschede, making more than 100 league appearances for the club.
Feyenoord signed him on a free transfer in May 2024. His parents, brothers and partner shared the occasion with him, providing a visible example of the family support behind his progression.
The defender agreed to a contract running until the middle of 2028. He made his competitive Feyenoord debut against PEC Zwolle in August 2024 and later appeared for the club in European competition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gijs Smal’s Family
Who are Gijs Smal’s parents?
The names of Gijs Smal’s parents have not been publicly confirmed. Both were present when he signed for Feyenoord in 2024.
Who is Gijs Smal’s father?
Smal has not revealed his father’s name, occupation or personal background in a reliable public interview.
Who is Gijs Smal’s mother?
The identity of Gijs Smal’s mother remains private. She has supported his career but is not a public figure.
Does Gijs Smal have any siblings?
Yes. Public reports confirm that Gijs Smal has brothers. Their names and the exact number of siblings have not been reliably disclosed.
Who is Gijs Smal’s girlfriend?
Gijs Smal’s girlfriend is Noor de Groot. The couple have been together since at least his time with FC Volendam.
Is Gijs Smal married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Gijs Smal and Noor de Groot are married.
Does Gijs Smal have children?
Yes. Gijs Smal and Noor de Groot have a daughter named Zoë Isabelle Maria Smal.
When was Gijs Smal’s daughter born?
Zoë Isabelle Maria Smal was born on June 30, 2024.
Where was Gijs Smal born?
Gijs Smal was born in De Rijp, North Holland, on August 31, 1997.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
