Preston North End star lands veiled Charlton Athletic and Millwall dig after transfer saga
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Charlton Athletic had offered Thierry Small a new contract this summer before his move to Preston North End.
Preston North End full-back Thierry Small has opened up on his choice to join the Championship club this summer, having been linked with a move to several second tier sides following an impressive campaign with Charlton Athletic in League One last time out.
The 21-year-old has made eight appearances in all competitions since moving to Deepdale, starting every league match so far under Paul Heckingbottom. A graduate of the Everton academy, there is the feeling that the rising star has the potential to make it back to the Premier League.
Small was a prominent figure in Nathan Jones’ Addicks side that won promotion last year, making 39 League One appearances and the London outfit was keen to keep the defender at The Valley.
The club confirmed that Small was offered a new deal when announcing their retained list last summer but the defender rejected that and chose to move to Preston North End on a free transfer. Prior to completing that transfer, the player was hotly linked with a move to Millwall, before the Lions eventually signed Alfie Doughty.
The Lancashire Evening Post claims that Derby County, Oxford United and Blackburn Rovers were all also looking at a move for the player. The outlet also relays quotes from Small on the club’s official podcast, explaining the reason he chose a move to Deepdale.
The words suggest what Preston North End were able to offer him that London sides Charlton Athletic and Millwall were not. He said: "Honestly, before coming here I wanted to come to a team where the manager wants me. I think that's one of the most important things as a player. You want that reassurance that you are actually one of the manager's signings.
“That was a massive thing for me to be honest. I got a really good feel for the manager, the staff. Just your gut, you can tell if someone is a genuine person by speaking to them and first impressions. That's definitely the first impression that I got and I was correct."
Former Charlton Athletic defender gets England under-21 call-up
Small’s progress at Preston North End earned him his first call-up to the England under-21 squad last month, featuring on the bench against Kazakhstan. Regarding his ambitions, Small added: “For me, the minute you stop improving you can just say, 'Goodbye' really. You are just going to stay there and start going down. Even if it is just little things to keep getting better, because one of the biggest aims for me is to play in the Premier League one day. And, play for the senior England team one day. With football, as long as I keep on chipping away, working hard and stay humble, anything can happen."
In other news, 'Unbelievable Night': Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has impressive Blackburn Rovers record.