
English footballer Thierry Small has built a professional career as a left-sided defender after progressing through the academies of West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Born in Solihull, England, on August 1, 2004, Small made history in January 2021 when he became Everton’s youngest-ever player at the time, making his senior debut at just 16 years and 176 days old.
Small’s journey into professional football involved significant sacrifices from both himself and his family. He moved away from home at just 11 years old to continue his development at Everton, something he later described as difficult but important to his growth.
For fans searching for Thierry Small’s family, here is what is currently known about his girlfriend, children, parents, siblings, and wider family background.
Who Is Thierry Small’s Girlfriend?
There is no reliably confirmed public information identifying Thierry Small’s current girlfriend or partner.
Small has generally kept his romantic life private, and his interviews have focused on his football career and the sacrifices made by his family during his development.
Some websites have published speculation about his dating life, but there is no sufficiently reliable public source confirming a girlfriend or partner. It is therefore more accurate not to attach an unverified name to his relationship status.
Does Thierry Small Have Children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Thierry Small has children.
Small has not publicly announced having children, and reputable football profiles do not identify him as a father. Therefore, there are currently no confirmed details about children in his family.
Who Are Thierry Small’s Parents?
The names of Thierry Small’s parents have not been widely disclosed in reliable public football sources.
However, Small has spoken openly about the sacrifices that he and his family made during his development as a footballer.
When he joined Everton at the age of 11, he had to move away from home and live away from his family. After making his senior debut for Everton in 2021, Small explained that reaching the first team was particularly meaningful because of the hard work and sacrifices his family had made over the years.
Thierry Small’s Family Sacrifices
Moving away from home at such a young age was a significant part of Small’s development.
He joined Everton’s academy after previously being with West Bromwich Albion, and the move meant leaving home at 11. Small later described the experience as difficult but said it helped him mature both as a person and as a footballer.
When he eventually made his Everton debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, Small said that making his family proud after all the work and sacrifices was one of the best feelings he had experienced.
This provides an important insight into the role his family played in his journey, even though their individual identities have largely remained private.
Does Thierry Small Have Any Siblings?
There is no reliable publicly available information confirming Thierry Small’s siblings.
Small has spoken about his parents and wider family support, but reputable football sources do not provide confirmed information about brothers or sisters.
As a result, the number and identities of his siblings cannot currently be established with confidence.
Who Is Thierry Small’s Uncle Bryan Small?
One of the best-known members of Thierry Small’s family is his uncle Bryan Small, a former professional footballer who played for Aston Villa.
Bryan Small made more than 30 top-flight appearances for Aston Villa and was an experienced professional when Thierry was beginning his own football journey.
Bryan has also provided advice to Thierry during important moments in his career.
Before Thierry made his historic Everton debut, he learned that he would be included in the matchday squad only around 48 hours before the game. He sought advice from his uncle Bryan, who encouraged him to keep things simple, remain calm, and express himself on the pitch.
Having a former top-flight footballer within the family gave Thierry someone with first-hand experience of the pressures associated with professional football.
Thierry Small’s Family and His Everton Breakthrough
Thierry Small’s Everton breakthrough was a major moment for both the player and his family.
After joining Everton at 11, Small spent several years developing within the club’s academy. He eventually became the youngest player in Everton’s history to appear for the first team when he came on against Sheffield Wednesday in January 2021.
At only 16 years old, the achievement was the culmination of years of academy training and the sacrifices associated with moving away from home at such a young age.
Small later reflected on how meaningful the achievement was for his family, particularly because of everything they had experienced during his development.
Thierry Small’s Football Career After Everton
Small’s career continued after his historic Everton debut.
He joined Southampton in 2021 and made his senior debut for the club in an FA Cup match against Coventry City in February 2022. He subsequently spent time on loan at Port Vale and St Mirren before returning to Southampton.
In January 2024, Southampton and Small mutually agreed to terminate his contract. He then joined Charlton Athletic, where he continued his development as a left-sided defender.
By 2025, Small had joined Preston North End, where he became part of the club’s first-team squad. The Preston defender also represented England at youth level and was listed by UEFA as part of England’s Under-21 squad in 2026.
Thierry Small’s Family and His Football Development
The story of Thierry Small’s family is closely connected to his early development.
Small was only 11 when he moved away from home to join Everton’s academy. For a young footballer, that meant making significant personal adjustments while continuing his education and football development.
He has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices involved and the importance of his family in helping him reach professional football.
His uncle Bryan Small also provided valuable football advice, particularly before Thierry’s historic Everton debut. The combination of family support and professional guidance helped him navigate the transition from academy football to the senior game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thierry Small’s Family
Who is Thierry Small’s girlfriend?
Thierry Small has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend or partner. There is no reliable public information identifying his relationship status.
Does Thierry Small have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Thierry Small has children.
Who are Thierry Small’s parents?
The names of Thierry Small’s parents have not been reliably disclosed in major public football sources. Small has, however, spoken about the sacrifices he and his family made during his football development.
Does Thierry Small have siblings?
There is currently no reliable public information confirming the number or identities of Thierry Small’s siblings.
Who is Thierry Small’s uncle?
Thierry Small’s uncle is Bryan Small, a former Aston Villa footballer who made more than 30 top-flight appearances. Bryan gave Thierry advice before his historic Everton debut.
What sacrifices did Thierry Small’s family make?
One of the biggest sacrifices was Small moving away from home at the age of 11 to continue his football development at Everton. He later said the experience was difficult but helped him mature as both a player and a person.
Where was Thierry Small born?
Thierry Small was born in Solihull, England, on August 1, 2004.
Which position does Thierry Small play?
Thierry Small is a left-sided defender/wing-back. He developed through West Bromwich Albion and Everton’s academies before continuing his professional career with Southampton, Charlton Athletic, and Preston North End.

Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
