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Sorba Thomas: Nantes' Playmaking Welshman

Born in England, but now a senior international for Wales, Sorba Thomas joined FC Nantes this summer on loan with a purchase option. While he's endured some ups and downs in his spell at the Stade Beaujoire, with a standout display against AS Monaco on Friday, he has helped Les Canaris move out of the bottom three with two wins in a draw in their last four. Learn more about Thomas in our latest profile:
E. DEVIN
Published on 01/14/2025 at 18:00
2-minute read
Sorba Thomas had a pair of assists as FC Nantes drew with AS Monaco on Friday

Early days in London

Born in East London, in Barking, Thomas came through the academy at West Ham United, before turning professional with Boreham Wood. Playing in the far southern reaches of the city, with a club then playing in the fourth division, hardly seemed a path to stardom, but in the January window in 2021, he made a massive jump to join Huddersfield Town. The northern side were then playing in the Championship, but had a grand history in the game, having been English champions on several occasions in the 1920s.

 Thomas prospered in his first full season with the Terriers, helping them finish third and being named Championship Player of the Month for August, as well as earning his first call-ups for Wales. The following season saw a revolving cast of managers, though, and the team slipped to 18th, with Thomas making just 20 appearances but managing to join his country for the World Cup. After splitting time between Blackburn (on loan) and Huddersfield, last season saw him play more consistently, but the club suffer relegation.

Slow but steady progress in Nantes

Looking for a new challenge, he joined compatriot Jordan James (Stade Rennais) in making the leap across the channel. At the beginning of the season, Thomas featured regularly and was a key component as the team started well, with two wins and a draw in their first three Ligue 1 McDonald's matches. As the season wore on, though, he featured less regularly and even found himself on the bench at times as manager Antoine KombouarĂ© worked to get the balance right tactically. 

In each of the last two matches, though, Thomas has been back in the eleven, and the team have earned unlikely points against UEFA Champions League participants AS Monaco and LOSC Lille, with the Welshman playing on the right of a 4-1-4-1, his crossing providing a good counterpoint to the on-ball play of Moses Simon on the right. Said Kombouaré of Thomas' improved play of late, "Sorba showing much more interesting things. He has had time to adapt -- it's not the same way of playing (here in France). He is acclimatizing and is showing some very interesting things."

If that continues apace, and Nantes stay up, look for Thomas's stay to be extended, adding to an increasingly diverse set of players in the French top flight. 

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