Tyger Smalls Bio
Tyger Smalls (born 18 September 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC. Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and wearing the number 25 shirt, he operates primarily from the wide positions, using pace and direct dribbling to take on defenders. After progressing through youth academies in England, he made his senior debut in 2019 and earned recognition for his performances in American college soccer at Tyler Junior College and Loyola Marymount University. He was selected 14th overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC and has quickly established himself in Major League Soccer.
Smalls is also the older brother of fellow professional footballer Magic Smalls, continuing a family connection to the sport. His journey from non-league English football to a top-flight North American league illustrates a non-traditional route into professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Tyger Smalls was born on 18 September 2002 in London, England. Growing up in England, he was introduced to football at a young age and developed his skills through grassroots clubs and organised youth setups. His early footballing environment included stints with several local sides in the eastern and south-eastern regions of England, building a foundation that would later support a switch to more structured academy environments.
As a teenager, Smalls entered the academy systems of Norwich City and later Tottenham Hotspur, two prominent English clubs known for developing young talent. Although he did not break into the senior setups at either club, the training environments exposed him to high-level coaching and tactical discipline. Following his time in those academies, he returned to non-league and amateur football, playing for Red Lodge FC, Mundford FC, Whitton United, Felixstowe & Walton United, Billericay Town, Stowmarket Town, Needham Market, and Histon.
In 2020, while still playing at the amateur level, Smalls had a trial with the Arsenal U23 team. The trial reflected the level of interest his performances had generated, even though a permanent move did not materialise. Rather than continuing to pursue a place in English professional football, he chose to pursue higher education and competitive college soccer in the United States.
Path to Soccer
Smalls’ pathway into professional football deviated from the traditional English academy-to-first-team route. After a successful trial with Arsenal U23, he committed to Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, beginning in 2021. He spent two seasons playing for the Tyler Apaches, competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). During this period, he earned selection to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Junior College Team and the NJCAA All-America Third Team in 2022, highlighting his impact at the junior college level.
A particularly notable moment came on 17 November 2021, when Smalls scored a double-overtime winning goal to help Tyler reach the knockout rounds of the NJCAA national tournament. His performances across two seasons caught the attention of NCAA Division I programs, leading to his transfer to Loyola Marymount University in 2023.
At Loyola Marymount, playing for the Loyola Marymount Lions, Smalls elevated his profile further in NCAA competition. On 2 September 2023, he scored a brace in a 2–2 draw with the California Baptist Lancers, and on 17 November 2023, he netted another brace in a victory over the UC Irvine Anteaters in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He then scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over the UCLA Bruins on 19 November, helping Loyola Marymount reach the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
Tyger Smalls Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Smalls began his senior career in the English non-league pyramid. In August 2019, he signed with Haverhill Rovers in the Eastern Counties Premier Division, making his debut on 6 August 2019 against Godmanchester Rovers. Days later, on 10 August 2019, he became the club’s youngest ever player to appear in an FA Cup match, a significant milestone for the teenager, when Haverhill faced Colney Heath. Across his time at the club, Smalls scored 15 goals in 24 matches, an outstanding return that signalled his attacking potential.
In December 2019, he joined Saffron Walden Town of the Essex Senior League, continuing his development in competitive adult football. He then moved to Felixstowe & Walton United in September 2020, where he featured in pre-season matches and scored from a free kick against Lowestoft Town. These three non-league clubs, Haverhill Rovers, Saffron Walden Town, and Felixstowe & Walton United, formed the foundation of his senior football experience.
College Soccer Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Smalls’ move to Tyler Junior College in 2021 marked the beginning of his most productive developmental stretch. He scored a memorable double-overtime winning goal in the 2021 NJCAA national tournament and was later named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Junior College Team and the NJCAA All-America Third Team in 2022. These honours cemented his status as one of the top junior college players in the United States.
His transfer to Loyola Marymount University in 2023 elevated his game to the NCAA Division I level. Over the course of the season, he delivered standout performances, including braces against California Baptist and UC Irvine, and a decisive lone goal against UCLA that pushed Loyola Marymount into the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. His college record at both schools made him a strong candidate for the MLS SuperDraft.
Charlotte FC Era (2024–Present)
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Smalls was selected 14th overall in the first round by Charlotte FC. In February 2024, he signed a contract with the Major League Soccer club for the 2024 season, with club options extending through 2027. He was also loaned to Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC’s developmental affiliate, to gain regular playing time.
On 27 April 2024, Smalls made his Major League Soccer debut as a substitute against New York City FC, completing the transition from English non-league football to North America’s top flight. Wearing the number 25 shirt, he has continued to develop within the Charlotte FC system, contributing as a depth option on the wing while gaining valuable experience at the senior professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the pitch, Smalls is recognised for his pace, direct dribbling, and willingness to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. His height of 6 ft 1 in gives him a useful physical presence in wide areas, while his finishing instincts, evident in his college brace performances, suggest an ability to contribute goals from wide positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout career moments are becoming the youngest player ever to appear in an FA Cup match for Haverhill Rovers in 2019, scoring the double-overtime winner in the 2021 NJCAA national tournament, and netting the lone goal against UCLA in 2023 that carried Loyola Marymount to its first-ever NCAA Sweet Sixteen. His selection 14th overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and his subsequent MLS debut against New York City FC in April 2024 mark the most significant milestones of his professional career to date.
Tyger Smalls Career Wins
Although Smalls’ professional senior career is still developing, his scoring record at Haverhill Rovers, where he tallied 15 goals in 24 matches, ranks among the most productive stretches of his career. At the collegiate level, multiple match-winning goals at Tyler Junior College and Loyola Marymount University underscore a consistent ability to deliver in important fixtures.
College Highlights
Across his two seasons at Tyler Junior College, Smalls earned United Soccer Coaches All-America Junior College Team and NJCAA All-America Third Team honours in 2022. In his single NCAA Division I season at Loyola Marymount in 2023, he scored braces against California Baptist and UC Irvine and the decisive goal against UCLA, helping the Lions reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history.
Other Wins and Performances
In English non-league football, Smalls reached the FA Cup proper with Haverhill Rovers as the club’s youngest-ever FA Cup player in 2019. He later featured for Saffron Walden Town and Felixstowe & Walton United, scoring notable pre-season goals. He also had a trial with Arsenal U23 in 2020.
Tyger Smalls Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Smalls is the older brother of fellow professional footballer Magic Smalls, indicating a family with ties to the sport across generations.
Personal Life
Born in London, England, Smalls moved to the United States to pursue college soccer and has since built his professional career with Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. Public details about his personal relationships, spouse, or children are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Smalls remains under contract with Charlotte FC, with club options extending through 2027. After making his Major League Soccer debut in April 2024, he is expected to compete for a more prominent role within the first-team squad, supplemented by minutes with Crown Legacy FC when needed.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Smalls to build on his transition year and establish himself as a consistent contributor for Charlotte FC. His pace, directness, and proven ability to deliver in big matches at the college level provide a foundation for continued growth at the professional stage.
With a multi-year contract in place and the backing of the Charlotte FC development system, Smalls’ outlook for the 2025 campaign centres on earning regular playing time, refining his end product in the final third, and translating his collegiate scoring form into Major League Soccer performances.