It has been a long journey for Sorba Thomas to get to Stoke City.

He was in the West Ham junior ranks with Declan Rice but was released before that side was beaten by Stoke in a memorable FA Youth Cup run. He ended up working in a sports shop and as a scaffolder as he fought for the chance to be a footballer.

Star performances at Boreham Wood in the National League earned him that opportunity with Huddersfield Town, who he helped reach the Championship play-off final in 2022 as one of the star men under Carlos Corberan, who was desperate to sign him at West Brom last summer.

It has not been plain sailing for any at Huddersfield since then and Thomas has had two loan moves – at Blackburn Rovers and Nantes – before landing this move to the bet365 Stadium as the first permanent signing of

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