Preston North End have signed Charlton Athletic defender Thierry Small on a four-year contract.

The 20-year-old joins after the two teams agreed on compensation before his contract expires later this month. Small joins Deepdale after helping the Addicks gain promotion to the Championship in last season’s League One play-offs. After signing with Preston, Thierry told the club website: “I’m over the moon. It’s an exciting time, a significant aspect of my career, and I can’t wait to get started. “After speaking with the management here, I believe this was the next step for me to take. For me, it’s simply about continuing to learn and improve, and I believe Preston is the perfect club for me to do so while also contributing to the team and eventually attaining success.”

After progressing through Everton’s junior system, Small made his FA Cup debut for the Toffees at the age of 16 and later joined Southampton. From then, he went on loan to Port Vale and St Mirren before joining Charlton in 2024, where he made 62 appearances. “Thierry’s someone we were really keen to bring in and I think he’s matched our enthusiasm by making the decision to sign,” said Paul Heckingbottom, the club’s boss. “He wants to come here to work hard and improve his game. He’s a fast and powerful player who enjoys going one-on-one with his opponent and delivering crosses into the box. I’m looking forward to seeing him wearing a PNE shirt.”

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