Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling (born 22 November 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a centre-back for Manchester United and the England national team. During his youth, Smalling played for the Millwall academy before joining local non-league side Maidstone United. He was selected for the Kent Schools Under-16 squad in 2005 before progressing to the Under-18s in 2007, and his performances for Kent Schools resulted in him being selected to play for the England Schools Under-18 squad in 2008. During this time Smalling had also established himself in the Maidstone United first team, and his impressive displays for club and country led to him signing a two-year deal with Middlesbrough in May 2008.