Ex-Saints teen makes 'adapt' claim after mutually terminating contract

Small cost Saints an expected seven-figure compensation fee after his 2021 move from Everton, where he rejected a first pro deal.

The 19 year old's time on the south coast was cut short earlier this season when he had his contract mutually terminated.

He soon joined Charlton Athletic in League One, where he has started to find his feet as a professional after several loan moves away from Southampton.

“The way it came out wasn’t completely true – there was a lot of false speculation about the move to Southampton," the defender told London News Online.

“Going there was just a family decision to better my career. You have got to take risks – sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don’t, it’s just part of life.

“It was a good experience, in terms of being around the first-team environment at 17. I don’t think a lot of players would’ve been doing that at my age, so the experience of that was unbelievable.

“It was hard to adapt because I was new to first-team football. I went from being a scholar straight into a first-team environment in the Premier League.

"Transition-wise it was a little hard for me mentally to get used to that, it took a bit of a while. But then you have a few loans and develop, it’s a natural part of the game – you grow, not just as a player but also as a person.”

Small is now thriving at Charlton Athletic in League One, where he is working under former Saints boss Nathan Jones.

The Addicks have only lost once since the Welshman took over - a 2-0 defeat to Ruben Selles' Reading.

Thierry Small's early Charlton performances have drawn praise from fans (Image: PA)

“I worked with the manager a little bit (at Southampton) when I came back off loan at Port Vale,” Small continued.

“We went to Spain and did a little camp when he first came. It is good to be back with him and have a familiar face.

“I love his intensity and what he wants us to do as players. He’s really demanding. You want to be under a manager who demands the best of his players and wants high standards all the time.

“It not only helps the team but it helps you as a player. Charlton are a sleeping giant. It’s got good ownership, it’s got good management and it’s got good players.

"With the project around it, everyone should be optimistic and excited about what is going to happen. As players we are excited."

Small has only signed a short-term contract which will keep him at the London-based club until the end of this season.

Charlton have the option to extend his deal for another 12 months, something the teenager is hopeful will happen.

“I’m here for everything. If that is what the club wants to do then it is something I wouldn’t be turning down," he concluded.