Millwall and Blackburn Rovers eye transfer for 'outstanding' Charlton Athletic star

Charlton Athletic defender Thierry Small has suitors in the Championship after an impressive season at the London outfit and the club could face a fight to keep the player this summer.

Football League World reports that Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County are in a ‘five-way chase’ for Small. The former Southampton man joined the Addicks in February 2024 and is a key part of Nathan Jones’ side.

Charlton Athletic are, of course, competing for a place in the Championship next season via the League One play-offs, which could help the club keep the defender. The 20-year-old is also said to be wanted by Preston North End and Oxford United.

Millwall and Blackburn Rovers linked with move for Charlton Athletic defender

Small is out of contract at The Valley next month but Charlton Athletic are keen to keep the player. The Addicks would be entitled to a compensation fee should Small leave and find another club due to his young age, but that fee would not be the same as what he could command if under contract.

Nathan Jones did not want to bite when asked about Preston North End interest in the player last month. He said: “No contact from anyone. Part of my remit is to work with young players and develop young players to make them assets for the football club. There you go.”

Small has racked up 45 appearances across all competitions this season. The former Everton and Southampton man is a product of the Toffees’ academy. He only ever made one first team appearance for Everton and one for Southampton before joining the Addicks.

The former England under-20 international was in three matchday squads for Southampton in the Premier League during the 2021/22 season, against Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford and Wolves, but never saw any minutes. Ralph Hassenhuttl was in charge of the Saints for those matches with Jones not arriving on the south coast until the following season, when Small was on loan at St. Mirren.

Thierry Small provides Charlton Athletic contract update

Speaking earlier in 2025, having scored his first goal of the season in a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at The Valley in a dramatic 96th minute winner, Small hinted that he would like to continue his progress at the club. He said: “It’s currently under negotiations and I’m just letting my agent deal with it. We will just see where it goes from there. I would love to stay.”

Small is a left-back but has been playing on the right side of defence this season with Kayne Ramsey suffering a knee injury in October. The player’s versatility has been a huge asset for Charlton Athletic and led to plenty of minutes. The defender had featured in every League One game since the star of November before missing the last two of the season.

Small said: “It’s been good for me in terms of learning a different role. I’m still learning my trade. Learning on the right-hand side will help me for when I go back to the left.

“I can be a little bit more expressive on the right-hand side with my attacking. I have the ability to go in and outside. It’s a bit easier to play on the right when I’m attacking. But, defensively, it’s harder because I have to be more aware and it’s a little bit unnatural at times.

“I’m used to it now so it’s like second nature to me. Even though it’s the same position but on the opposite side, I’m working out my angles and seeing the game differently. It’s been about getting my head down and helping the team wherever I’m required to play. That’s the most important thing.”

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