Thierry Small’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Charlton Athletic must fight to keep him.

After an impressive season at Charlton Athletic, defender Thierry Small has suitors in the Championship, and the club may face competition to keep him this summer.

According to Football League World, Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County are all interested in signing Small. The former Southampton player joined the Addicks in February 2024 and is a key member of Nathan Jones’ squad.

Charlton Athletic may be able to retain the defender by competing in the League One play-offs for promotion to the Championship for the following season. Preston North End and Oxford United are also reportedly interested in signing the 20-year-old.

Millwall and Blackburn Rovers linked with a move for Charlton Athletic defender.

Small’s contract at The Valley expires next month, but Charlton Athletic are keen to keep him. 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 he were under contract.

When asked about Preston North End’s interest in the player last month, Nathan Jones declined to comment. He stated: “No contact from anyone. Part of my responsibilities include working with and developing young players to make them valuable assets to the football club. “There you go.”

Small has made 45 appearances across all competitions this season. The former Everton and Southampton player came up through the club’s academy system. Prior to joining the Addicks, he made only one first-team appearance for Everton and one for Southampton.

The former England under-20 international was named to three Premier League matchday squads for Southampton during the 2021/22 season, against Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, and Wolves, but he never played a minute. 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 a contract update for Charlton Athletic.

Small hinted earlier in 2025, after scoring his first goal of the season in a dramatic 96th-minute win over Shrewsbury Town at The Valley, that he would like to continue his development at the club. He said, “It’s currently being negotiated, and I’m just letting my agent handle it. We’ll just see where things go from there. “I’d love to stay.”

Small is a left-back, but he has been playing on the right side of defence this season after Kayne Ramsey suffered a knee injury in October. The player’s versatility has been a huge asset to Charlton Athletic, resulting in plenty of minutes. The defender had played every League One game since the beginning of November before missing the final two.

Small stated, “It’s been beneficial for me in terms of learning a new role. I am still learning my trade. Learning on the right hand side will prepare me for when I return to the left.

“I can attack more expressively on the right side. I can go inside and outside. When I’m attacking, I find it easier to play on the right side. However, defensively, it is more difficult because I must be more aware, which can feel unnatural at times.

“I’m used to it now, and it’s like second nature to me. Even though I’m in the same position but on the opposite side, I’m adjusting my angles and seeing the game from a different perspective. It’s been about putting my head down and supporting the team wherever I’m needed. “That is the most important thing.”

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk