Description
CHRIS SMALLING BIOGRAPHY :
Christopher Lloyd Smalling (born 22 November 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Fayha. Smalling represented the England national team from 2011 to 2017. During his youth, Smalling played for the Millwall academy before joining non-League club Maidstone United. After establishing himself in the Maidstone United first team, he signed for Middlesbrough in May 2008. However, shortly after joining Middlesbrough, Smalling had his contract with the club cancelled after raising concerns over homesickness. Soon after, in June 2008, he signed for Premier League club Fulham; he made his professional debut with the club in May 2009, and helped them reach the UEFA Europa League final in the following season. In January 2010, Smalling signed a pre-contract agreement with Manchester United and joined them officially in July 2010. He made his competitive debut in the 2010 FA Community Shield victory over Chelsea, which earned him his first career medal. He went on to make more than 300 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a UEFA Europa League and a further two Community Shields. He was signed by Italian side Roma in 2019, where he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in his third season. Smalling represented the England Schools under-18 team in early 2008, before making his debut for the national under-20 and under-21 teams in 2009. He made his senior international debut in September 2011 and has appeared at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
