Sorba's quality of delivery on the run is outstanding...

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

- Peter Smith

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 the Mark Robins era.

Now 26, he has a reputation for his athleticism, crossing, availability and set piece delivery. He can play on either wing and has been dropped into playing wing-back too as well as full-back on occasion.

SORBA THOMAS IN HIS OWN WORDS

On his rise after being released by West Ham at 16 and playing part-time with Boreham Wood.

He said as he then helped Huddersfield reach the Championship play-off final: "When I first went to Boreham Wood I was working at JD Sports in Oxford Circus, I was there for a year — I did not like that at all. You get all different types of customers that in your head you're thinking... I really need to make it as a footballer, I can’t do this every week.