- Thierry Small bagged a horrendous own goal in PNE’s 1-1 draw against QPR.
- Full-back was in Everton academy from 2016-2021; youngest player to play for them.
- At 21 years old, he has played for six clubs in his senior career.
Thierry Small’s time in the Everton senior setup was brief as he made just a singular appearance for them in an FA Cup fourth round victory against Sheffield Wednesday.
Since leaving Merseyside he has appeared for Southampton, Port Vale, St Mirren, Charlton, and currently applies his trade at Preston North End.
He has crafted himself a starting place at the Lilywhites, but their encounter with Queens Park Rangers was overshadowed by a shocking mistake from the 21-year-old.
Thierry Small own goal gifts QPR a point
After Brad Potts put North End in front at the start of the second half, the Lancashire outfit looked to see out their one-goal lead and secure all three points.
As the game entered the final stages, Harvey Vale swung in a lifeless cross that fell to Small, but in an attempt to clear his lines, the ball bobbled in front of the full back, and his mistimed clearance left goalkeeper Daniel Iversen flatfooted, and the ball sailed past him.
Small had only been substituted on in the 66th minute, but it was his cameo that ensured QPR went home with a point.
With three goals in 36 league appearances this season, the Englishman prides himself on his ability to push forward and aid the attack, yet his output today came at the wrong end of the field.
A career rebuilt following life after Everton
After Small rejected a chance to stay at Everton, he made the switch to Southampton in an effort to find first-team minutes.
In three seasons with Saints, he played in one FA Cup game against Coventry City and was sent out on loan to Port Vale and St Mirren.
Akin to his Everton exit, he terminated his contract on the south coast in February 2024 and made a move to Charlton.
It was in South London that he found a platform for his career and became a crucial starter for the Addicks.
Joining midway through the 2023-24 campaign, in the season following, he was a star man in Charlton’s promotion charge to the Championship, and played 48 games in all competitions.
But after gaining promotion, he opted to make a switch to Championship rivals Preston and has since established himself as a promising modern-day full-back.
August 2025 saw Small get his first call-up to the England U21 squad, playing with the likes of Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling.
The road since leaving Everton has been rocky for Small; he struggled to find a club where he could settle in and work on his game.
As the end of the season approaches, he will have had two established seasons in senior football, and while there is much he needs to develop, a Premier League could not be far off.
