Thierry Small

Everton

Small spent time at West Bromwich Albion before joining the academy at Everton at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut for Everton on 24 January 2021, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park. In doing so, he became the youngest player in Everton history at the age of 16 years and 176 days, breaking Jose Baxter's 2008 record by 15 days. However, he feared not getting game-time under Carlo Ancelotti, with Lucas Digne and Niels Nkounkou ahead of him in the first-team pecking order, and subsequently rejected the opportunity to turn professional at Everton at the age of 17 and instead became a free agent. Everton coach David Unsworth said that "we made him an unbelievable offer... but when a player doesn't want to be at your club, it's very difficult to try and keep him".

Southampton

On 24 August 2021, Small signed for Southampton on a three-year contract. Everton rejected Southampton's offer of £1.5 million compensation, leaving the case to be decided by a tribunal. Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl stated that "we have already signed a player this summer with good experience at left-back in Romain Perraud, and Thierry's arrival now gives us a very good balance and a strong additional option in that position". He scored for the under-21 team in their 4–0 victory at Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy on 9 November. He went on to be shortlisted for the November 2021 Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.…

Small has represented England at youth international level. He appeared as a second-half substitute for the under-17 side in a friendly against Watford under-23s in March 2021. He made his debut for England U18s on 7 June 2022, during a 3–2 victory over Austria in Croatia. This was the first of three games he played in a four-team mini-tournament that England won. On 10 November 2024, Small was called up to the under-20 squad. He made his debut for the U20s on 15 November 2024, during a 4–0 victory over Germany. On 29 August 2025, Small was called up to the under-21s for the first time. He made his England U21 debut as a substitute on 10 October 2025 during a 4–0 victory away to Moldova.

Small is a left-back with good ball-striking ability and stamina. He can also play in central defence, right-back or on the left wing.

Thierry Small was born in Solihull on 1 August 2004. He was named after Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Small is of Jamaican, Kittitian, and Panamanian descent. He has a Panamanian grandfather. Small's uncle, Bryan Small, was a professional footballer who played for Aston Villa in the Premier League and other Football League clubs. His cousin, Ethon Archer, also plays football professionally.