Kal Naismith

Kal Naismith
Personal information
Full name Kal Alexander Naismith[1]
Date of birth (1992-02-18) 18 February 1992
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Luton Town
Number 3
Youth career
–2011 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Rangers 17 (1)
2011 → Cowdenbeath (loan) 9 (2)
2012 → Partick Thistle (loan) 8 (0)
2013–2015 Accrington Stanley 73 (14)
2015–2018 Portsmouth 82 (18)
2015–2016 → Hartlepool United (loan) 4 (0)
2018–2021 Wigan Athletic 79 (6)
2021–2022 Luton Town 64 (3)
2022–2025 Bristol City 44 (1)
2025 → Luton Town (loan) 10 (0)
2025– Luton Town 40 (3)
International career
2007–2008 Scotland U16 4 (1)
2008–2009 Scotland U17 8 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:49, 22 August 2026 (UTC)

Kal Alexander Naismith (born 18 February 1992) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender and is the captain of EFL League One club Luton Town.

A Rangers youth graduate, Naismith made his breakthrough into the first team in the 2012–13 season, after loan spells at Cowdenbeath and Partick Thistle. He subsequently moved to England and played for Accrington Stanley, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town and Bristol City before returning to Luton in January 2025. He has represented Scotland at youth international level.

Club career

Rangers

Born in Glasgow, Naismith joined the Rangers academy at young age.

Cowdenbeath (loan)

Naismith joined Second Division club Cowdenbeath on loan at the end of August 2011. He made his debut on 10 September against East Fife,[3] going on to score his first goals for the club on 24 September - scoring both goals in their 2–1 win over Albion Rovers.[4] With matches limited due to call offs,[5] his last game came on 10 December against Arbroath.[6]

Partick Thistle (loan)

On 5 January 2012, Naismith joined First Division club Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season,[7] however was unable to play against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup that weekend as he was cup tied[8] having played for Cowdenbeath earlier in the season.[9] He made his debut on 13 January, starting in their 1–0 defeat to Hamilton Academical.[10]

Return to Rangers

After spending the 2011–12 season out on loan, Naismith made his debut for Rangers as a substitute on 29 July 2012, in a 2–1 win over Brechin City in the Challenge Cup.[11]

He scored his first goal for Rangers against Forres Mechanics in the Second Round of the 2012–13 Scottish Cup.

On 9 August 2013, Naismith mutually agreed with Rangers to terminate his contract.[12]

Accrington Stanley

In Summer 2013, Naismith was given a trial at English League Two club Accrington Stanley, completing a switch to them on a free transfer shortly after.[13] He made his debut for the club on 10 August, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Portsmouth.

Naismith scored his first goal for Stanley on 22 October 2013, netting the winner in a 2–1 home success over Bristol Rovers. He also scored braces against Torquay United and Mansfield Town, finishing the 2013–14 season with ten goals in 38 appearances.

Naismith was also a regular starter for the club in 2014–15, scoring four goals in 35 games.

Portsmouth

On 28 May 2015, Naismith signed a three-year deal with fellow League Two side Portsmouth, for an undisclosed fee.[14]

On 13 November 2025, Naismith joined Hartlepool United on a short-term loan deal until January.[15]

Naismith scored 13 goals in the season for Portsmouth, which saw them finish as league champions – confirmed on the last day of the season.

At the end of the 2017–18 season, Portsmouth announced that Naismith had rejected a new deal from the club, deciding to pursue other options elsewhere.[16][17]

Wigan Athletic

On 30 May 2018, Naismith signed a three-year deal with Championship side Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal for Wigan in a 4–2 loss at Sheffield United on 27 October 2018.[18]

On 7 January 2021, Naismith left Wigan by mutual consent.[19]

Luton Town

On 15 January 2021, Naismith signed for Championship side Luton Town on a permanent deal.[20] He scored his first goal for Luton on 27 February 2021 in a 3–2 win against Sheffield Wednesday.[21] On 15 January 2022, he scored a last minute goal in a 3–2 win over Bournemouth.[22]

Despite being offered a new contract with Luton Town,[23] Naismith left the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.

Bristol City

On 27 May 2022, Naismith signed a three-year deal with Championship side Bristol City on a free transfer.[24] He scored his first goal for Bristol City in an EFL Cup win over Coventry City on 10 August 2022.[25]

On 28 January 2025, Naismith was sent out on loan to former club Luton Town until the end of the season[26], and was later released by Bristol City at the end of his contract on 1 July 2025.[27]

Return to Luton Town

On 10 June 2025, Naismith signed permanently for Luton Town on a free transfer after having been on loan at the club since January.[28]

On 25 July 2025, Luton manager Matt Bloomfield confirmed Naismith would be the club's captain from the 2025–26 season, following the departures of Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris.[29]

International career

Naismith has represented Scotland at Under-16 level,[30] making his debut against Wales on 5 October 2007.[31] His first goal came on 29 November against England.[32] He later represented the Under-17 team, making eight appearances.[33]

Personal life

On 20 September 2010, Naismith and fellow Rangers player Kyle Hutton were abducted in Edinburgh by two men and driven around the city in Hutton's car,[34] before being dumped in the Niddrie area of the city. Naismith and Hutton were mugged and car was stolen. Both thieves were subsequently convicted and prosecuted and Hutton's car was retrieved.[35]

Style of play

Naismith has played in a variety of positions throughout his career, including as a striker, winger and in midfield. In the 2025–26 season for Luton Town, he primarily played as a left-back or centre-back. His main attributes are his ball control and versatility.

Career statistics

As of match played 22 August 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers 2011–12[36] Scottish Premier League 0000000000
2012–13[37] Scottish Third Division 17142003[c]0243
Total 171420030243
Cowdenbeath (loan) 2011–12[37] Scottish Second Division 92100000102
Partick Thistle (loan) 2011–12[36] Scottish First Division 8000000080
Accrington Stanley 2013–14[38] League Two 38101010004010
2014–15[39] League Two 35420101[d]0394
Total 73143020107914
Portsmouth 2015–16[40] League Two 19310002[e]0223
2016–17[41] League Two 371300113[d]14115
2017–18[42] League One 26200104[d]1313
Total 82181021929421
Hartlepool United (loan) 2015–16[40] League Two 40———40
Wigan Athletic 2018–19[43] Championship 3011010—321
2019–20[44] Championship 3730010—383
2020–21[45] League One 12200101[d]1143
Total 796103011847
Luton Town 2020–21[46] Championship 2211000—231
2021–22[47] Championship 42211002[f]0453
Total 643210020684
Bristol City 2022–23[48] Championship 2503021—301
2023–24[49] Championship 1310021—152
2024–25[50] Championship 600010—70
Total 4413052—523
Luton Town (loan) 2024–25[50] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 — 10 0
Luton Town 2025–26[51] League One 38 3 2 0 0 0 5[d] 0 45 3
2026–27[52] League One 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Luton Town total 114 6 4 1 1 0 7 0 126 7
Career total 4304817313321348157
  1. ↑ Includes Scottish Cup and FA Cup
  2. ↑ Includes Scottish League Cup and EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in the Football League/EFL Trophy
  5. ↑ One appearance in the Football League Trophy and one appearance in League Two play-offs
  6. ↑ Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

Rangers

Portsmouth

Luton Town

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "EFL – Squad List 2025/26: Luton Town – In Squad Players" (PDF). English Football League. February 2026. p. 75. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Kal Naismith". Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Cowdenbeath 3–2 East Fife". BBC Sport. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Cowdenbeath 2–1 Albion Rovers". BBC Sport. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Scottish football fixture card hit by cold snap". BBC Sport. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "Cowdenbeath 0–0 Arbroath". BBC Sport. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  7. ↑ "Further Loan". Partick Thistle F.C. 5 January 2012. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Partick Thistle Complete Loan Deal For Rangers Winger Kal Naismith". The Glaswegian. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Boness Utd 0–3 Cowdenbeath". BBC Sport. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "Hamilton Accies 1–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  11. ↑ "Brechin City 1–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "We've Done Our Homework – Rangers Football Club, Official Website". 9 August 2013. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Kal Naismith seals Accrington Stanley switch". Sports Mole. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Naismith pens Pompey deal". Portsmouth FC. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Hartlepool loan Mikael Mandron and Kai Naismith until January". BBC Sport. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Four Players Set To Leave Pompey". Portsmouth FC. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Kai Naismith exits Portsmouth, who release trio of Jez Bedford, Nicke Kabamba and Theo Widdrington". BBC Sport. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Sheffield United 4-2 Wigan". BBC. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "Wigan Athletic FC – Kal Naismith leaves Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic FC. 7 January 2021.
  20. ↑ "Kal Naismith joins the Hatters in a permanent deal". Luton Town FC. 15 January 2021.
  21. ↑ "Luton 3–2 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  22. ↑ "Luton 3–2 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  23. ↑ "Luton Town Retained / Released List 2022". lutontown.co.uk. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  24. ↑ "Naismith is a Red". Bristol City. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  25. ↑ "Coventry 1-4 Bristol City". BBC. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "Kal Naismith returns to Kenilworth Road!". Luton Town Official Website. LTFC. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  27. ↑ Bristol City FC (17 May 2025). "City announce retained list". Bristol City FC. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  28. ↑ "Permanent Town return for Kal - Luton Town FC". www.lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Bloomfield hands Naismith captaincy - Luton Town FC". www.lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "Kai Naismith SFA". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  31. ↑ "WALES v SCOTLAND". SFA. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  32. ↑ "Scotland v England". SFA. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  33. ↑ "Kai Naismith SFA under 17". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  34. ↑ "Men admit abducting Rangers players". BBC News. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  35. ↑ "Thug who kidnapped Rangers starlets jailed". Daily Record. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  36. 1 2 "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  37. 1 2 Kal Naismith at Soccerway
  38. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  50. 1 2 "Games played by Kal Naismith in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  51. ↑ "Kal Naismith | Football Stats | Luton Town | Season 2025/2026 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  52. ↑ "Kal Naismith | Football Stats | Luton Town | Age 34 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  53. ↑ "Luton Town 3–1 Stockport County: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 12 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  54. ↑ "Luton Town Supporters' Trust 2021/22 awards | The winners!". lutontown.co.uk. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
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