Tyger Smalls
{{Short description|English footballer}}
{{Distinguish|Tiger Smalls}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Tyger Smalls
|image = File:Tyger Smalls.jpg
|image_size =
|caption =Smalls playing for Felixstowe & Walton United FC
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|9|18|df=y}}
|birth_place = London, England
|height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
|position = Forward
|currentclub = Charlotte FC
|clubnumber = 25
|youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Norwich City
|youthyears2 = |youthclubs2 = Tottenham Hotspur
|youthyears3 = |youthclubs3 = Red Lodge FC
|youthyears4 = |youthclubs4 = Mundford FC
|youthyears5 = |youthclubs5 = Whitton United
|youthyears6 = |youthclubs6 = Felixstowe & Walton United
|youthyears7 = |youthclubs7 = Billericay Town
|youthyears8 = |youthclubs8 = Stowmarket Town
|youthyears9 = |youthclubs9 = Needham Market
|youthyears10 = |youthclubs10= Histon
|collegeyears1 = 2021–2022
|college1 = Tyler Apaches
|collegecaps1 = 36
|collegegoals1 = 26
|collegeyears2 = 2023
|college2 = Loyola Marymount Lions
|collegecaps2 = 20
|collegegoals2 = 7
|years1 = 2019 |clubs1 = Haverhill Rovers |caps1 = 19 |goals1 = 12
|years2 = 2019–2020 |clubs2 = Saffron Walden Town |caps2 = 8 |goals2 = 1
|years3 = 2020–2021 |clubs3 = Felixstowe & Walton United |caps3 = 2 |goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2024– |clubs4 = Charlotte FC |caps4 = 15 |goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2024– |clubs5 = → Crown Legacy FC (loan) |caps5 = 13 |goals5 = 2
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = 26 October 2024
|nationalteam-update =
}}
Tyger Smalls (born 18 September 2002) is an English footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC.
Early life
Smalls played youth football with Norwich City academy, later moving to the Tottenham Hotspur academy.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-youngster-tyger-smalls-arsenal-trial-a4384796.html|title=Former Tottenham youngster Tyger Smalls trains with Arsenal with hope of securing contract with the Gunners|date=11 March 2020|first=Simon|last=Collings|work=Evening Standard}} Afterwards, he played with Red Lodge FC, Mundford FC, Whitton United, Felixstowe & Walton United, Billericay Town, Stowmarket Town Needham Market, and Histon.{{cite web|url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/newmarket/sport/tyger-striving-to-make-his-mark-9097916/|title=Tyger Smalls striving to make his mark|date=30 January 2020|first=Liam|last=Apicella|work=Suffolk News}} In 2020, he had a trial with the Arsenal U23 team.{{cite web|url=https://dailycannon.com/2020/03/tyger-smalls-to-spend-time-with-arsenal-academy/|title=Tyger Smalls to spend time with Arsenal academy|first=Dan|last=Critchlow|date=March 2, 2020|work=Daily Cannon}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/wonderkid-trains-arsenal-ahead-potential-17903838|title=Wonderkid trains with Arsenal ahead of potential move from English lower leagues|date=11 March 2020|first=James|last=Benge|work=Football.London}}
College career
In 2021, Smalls began attending Tyler Junior College in the United States, where he played for the men's soccer team, where he spent two seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/bios/smalls_tyger_f7zx|title=Tyger Smalls Tyler 2021 profile|work=Tyler Junior College}}{{cite web|url=https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/bios/smalls_tyger_wegm|title=Tyger Smalls 2022 Tyler profile|work=Tyler Junior College}} On 17 November 2021, he scored a double overtime winning goal to help them reach the knockout rounds of the NCJAA national tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.ketk.com/sports/local-sports/tyger-smalls-scores-overtime-goal-to-give-tjc-a-2-1-win-over-iowa-lakes-in-njcaa-mens-soccer-tournament-pool-play/|title=Tyger Smalls scores overtime goal to give TJC a 2-1 win over Iowa Lakes in NJCAA men's soccer tournament pool play|first=Garrett|last=Sanders|date=November 17, 2021|work=KETK-TV}} In 2022, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Junior College Team and the NJCAA All-America Third Team.{{cite journal|url=https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/releases/20221207f04pkd|title=Thomas Lamaille & Tyger Smalls earn United Soccer Coaches All-America Honors|date=December 7, 2022|journal=Tyler Junior College}}{{cite journal|url=https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/releases/20221201f559pw|title=Luis Flores, Tyger Smalls, Midas Smalls, & Antonio Biggs earn NJCAA All-America Honors|date=December 1, 2022|journal=Tyler Junior College}}
In 2023, he transferred to Loyola Marymount University to play for the men's soccer team in the NCAA.{{cite web|url=https://lmulions.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/tyger-smalls/12782|title=Tyger Smalls Loyola Marymount profile|work=Loyola Marymount Lions}} On 2 September 2023, he scored a brace in a 2–2 draw with the California Baptist Lancers.{{cite web|url=https://lmulions.com/news/2023/9/2/mens-soccer-smalls-lions-mount-comeback-in-draw-with-lancers.aspx|title=Smalls, Lions Mount Comeback in Draw with Lancers|date=September 2, 2023|work=Loyola Marymount Lions}} On 17 November, he scored another brace in a victory over the UC Irvine Anteaters in the first round of the NCAA tournament.{{cite web|url=https://lmulions.com/news/2023/11/17/mens-soccer-smalls-brace-leads-lions-past-anteaters.aspx|title=Smalls Brace Leads Lions Past Anteaters|date=November 17, 2023|work=Loyola Marymount Lions}} He scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over the UCLA Bruins on 19 November to help Loyola reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history.{{cite web|url=https://lmulions.com/news/2023/11/19/mens-soccer-smalls-leads-lions-to-first-sweet-sixteen-in-school-history.aspx|title=Smalls Leads Lions to First Sweet Sixteen in School History|date=19 November 2023|work=Loyola Marymount Lions}}
Club career
In August 2019, Smalls signed with the Haverhill Rovers in the Eastern Counties Premier.{{cite web|url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/haverhillroversfc/news/sixteen-year-old-scheduled-to-make-his-fa-cup-debu-2451814.html|title=Sixteen year old scheduled to make his FA Cup debut tomorrow - Sat. 10 Aug 19|date=August 9, 2019|first=Barbara|last=Jones|work=Pitch Hero}} He made his debut for the club on 6 August 2019 in a league match against Godmanchester Rovers, followed by becoming the club's youngest ever player to play in an FA Cup match on 10 August against Colney Heath.{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/tygers-history-maker-haverhill-rovers-16755280|title=Tyger's a history maker for Haverhill Rovers|date=14 August 2019|first=Tim|last=Street|work=Cambridge News}} He scored 15 goals in 24 matches for the club.{{cite web|url=https://tbrfootball.com/you-got-this-biggest-moment-of-your-life-some-arsenal-fans-respond-to-young-strikers-message/|title='You got this', 'biggest moment of your life': Some Arsenal fans respond to young striker's message|first=Giuseppe|last=Labellarte|date=12 March 2020 |work=TBR Football}}
In December 2019, he joined Saffron Walden Town in the Essex Senior League.{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/saffron-walden-boss-landing-haverhill-17472131|title=Saffron Walden boss on landing Haverhill Rovers prospect Tyger Smalls|date=24 December 2019|work=Cambridge News|first=Tim|last=Street}}
In September 2020, he signed with Felixstowe & Walton United.{{cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/21397984.former-arsenal-triallist-tyger-signs-seasiders/|title=Former Arsenal triallist Tyger signs for Seasiders|date=8 September 2020|first=Carl|last=Marston|work=East Anglian Daily Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/sport/tyger-signs-for-felixstowe-9122065/|title=Former Arsenal trialist and Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tyger Smalls signs for Felixstowe & Walton United|first=Liam|last=Apicella|work=Suffolk News|date=5 September 2020}} He scored in a pre-season match off of a free kick against Lowestoft Town.{{cite web|url=https://felixstowe.nub.news/news/local-sport/former-spurs-attacker-smalls-comes-up-big-for-seasiders|title=Former Spurs attacker Smalls comes up big for Seasiders|first=Derek|last=Davis|date=6 September 2020|work=Felixstowe Nub News}}
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Smalls was selected in the first round (14th overall) by Charlotte FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2023/12/20/qcfc/the-tyger-that-s-headed-to-charlotte-fc-s-tank/|title=The Tyger that's headed for Charlotte FC's tank|date=December 20, 2023|first=Steve|last=Goldberg|work=The Charlotte Post}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-select-forward-tyger-smalls/275-8ec3a871-6d24-4f6f-a27d-c8b77c806b06|title=Charlotte FC draft forward Tyger Smalls after trading into first round|date=December 19, 2023|work=WCNC-TV|first=Nathaniel|last=Puente}} In February 2024, he signed a contract with the Major League Soccer club for the 2024 season, with club options from 2025 through 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/charlotte-fc-signs-mls-superdraft-picks-tyger-smalls-and-jahlane-forbes|title=Charlotte FC Signs MLS SuperDraft Picks Tyger Smalls and Jahlane Forbes |date=February 14, 2024|work=Charlotte FC}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/charlotte-fc-sign-superdraft-selections-tyger-smalls-jahlane-forbes|title=Charlotte FC sign SuperDraft selections Tyger Smalls, Jahlane Forbes|date=February 14, 2024|work=Major League Soccer}} On 27 April, he made his Major League Soccer debut, in a substitute appearance, against New York City FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/the-full-time-clip-charlotte-fc-fall-to-late-loss-at-new-york-city-fc|title=The Full Time Clip: Charlotte FC Fall Late at New York City FC|date=April 27, 2024|work=Charlotte FC}}
Career statistics
{{updated|2 June 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|tyger-smalls/680111}}
{{Charlotte FC squad}}
{{CharlotteFCFirstPick}}
{{2024 MLS SuperDraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smalls, Tyger}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Felixstowe & Walton United F.C. players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Tyler Apaches men's soccer players
Category:Loyola Marymount Lions men's soccer players
Category:Charlotte FC draft picks
Category:Haverhill Rovers F.C. players
Category:Saffron Walden Town F.C. players
Category:Needham Market F.C. players
Category:Stowmarket Town F.C. players
Category:Billericay Town F.C. players
Category:Whitton United F.C. players
Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Eastern Counties Football League players
Category:Essex Senior Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Crown Legacy FC players