Stoke City have secured the signing of Wales international winger Sorba Thomas. The 26-year-old, who has represented Wales 17 times, joins the club after spending last season on loan at French Ligue 1 side Nantes from Huddersfield Town. That loan deal included a purchase option.
Thomas’s time in France wasn’t without challenges. He was subjected to racist abuse on social media after being substituted shortly after entering the game in the 80th minute during a match against RC Lens in November. Despite that incident, he managed to contribute positively to the team.
During his spell at Nantes, Thomas played in 25 matches and scored once, netting against St Etienne. His efforts helped the team finish 13th in the league. Before his move to France, he spent five years at Huddersfield Town, where he developed into a key player.
A product of the West Ham United academy, Thomas has now signed a three-year contract with Stoke City and will officially begin his time at the club during pre-season. Currently, he is with the Wales national team preparing for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Jon Walters, Stoke City’s sporting director, expressed his satisfaction with the early signing, stating on the club’s website that bringing Thomas in early allows him to integrate quickly and be ready from day one of pre-season. Walters praised Thomas for his physical attributes, work ethic, and technical skill—particularly his ability to deliver quality balls into the box, which he described as a standout feature of his game.
Assistant manager James Rowberry, who has previously worked with Thomas in the Wales national team setup, is familiar with the player’s capabilities both on and off the pitch, adding to the club’s confidence in the signing.
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