Carshalton Athletic are delighted to confirm that David Smith and Fabio Saraiva have committed to new one-year deals with the club.

The duo, who have made a combined 88 appearances for the Robins this season (Saraiva 52 and Smith 36), have served as core members of the current squad.

Since joining Peter Adeniyi’s side from Leatherhead last summer, Saraiva has quickly established himself as a fan favourite. Robins’ faithful have become accustomed to his fierce tackles, calmness under pressure, pinpoint passing, deadly set pieces, and thunderous 30-yard strikes.

Adeniyi entrusted Saraiva with the captain’s armband on several occasions in the absence of club captain Paris Hamilton-Downes and vice Tommy Bradford, a testament to his character and leadership skills on and off the pitch. Remarkably, he featured in every match of the 2024–25 campaign except one, missing the clash against Bowers & Pitsea over the festive period due to suspension. The experienced midfielder has been a consistently high performer in an ever-evolving midfield.

He also contributed by finishing the season as the team’s second-highest scorer, netting an impressive 10 goals. Among them, perhaps the most unforgettable was a last-minute screamer that sealed a thrilling 4–3 league victory over Billericay Town in early November. He seized the moment with a now-iconic celebration—arms outstretched in the style of Jude Bellingham, facing the roaring stand.

Smith, too, has enjoyed a standout debut season. Since arriving from Cray Wanderers in early November, the striker has showcased his Step 3 pedigree and proven eye for goal. It did not take long for him to make his mark, netting nine times by the turn of the year and quickly becoming a central figure in the Reds’ frontline.

Defined by his composure from the penalty spot, powerful headers, and sharp, instinctive finishing, Smith quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable forwards. While his scoring rate dipped slightly through March and April, his influence within Adeniyi’s attacking setup never waned. He struck up effective partnerships with Bryan Ifeanyi, Nabeel Ghannam, Kalvin Kalala, and Kola Salami, helping to sustain the Robins’ offensive threat.

The No. 9 concluded the season as the club’s top scorer with 18 goals, eclipsing the 15 he managed in 44 appearances for Folkestone Invicta last year. He closed out the campaign in strong form, bagging a brace against Dulwich Hamlet in the penultimate Isthmian Premier fixture of 2024–25. He also came agonisingly close to a dramatic late equaliser in the dying moments of the Surrey Senior Cup semi-final against Dorking.

We are thrilled that the pair will be back at Colston Avenue for 2025–26, ready to play their part in another big season for the Robins!