Cheltenham Town have announced the signing of Conor Thomas from Indian Super League side ATK after his contract expired.
Thomas, 24, started his career in his hometown of Coventry, starting in the youth team and then graduating to the first team.
He made his debut at the age 17 in the FA Cup, and the following season he made 27 appearances in the Championship.
The midfielder impressed so much so that he earned a loan move to Liverpool. He failed to earn a permanent deal however, with the loan move ending early due to injury.
He stayed at Coventry for another four years, with the height of his career making 49 appearances in midfield in the 2013/14 season.
He was released by Coventry at the end of the 2015/16 campaign and signed a contract with Swindon Town. However, after a season (and two games) he moved across to the Indian Super League and signed with ATK.
It’s here there he learned from some of football’s finest, plying his trade under Teddy Sheringham and alongside Robbie Keane, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Ryan Taylor.
Manager Gary Johnson said: “I’ve been a long-term admirer of Conor, having watched his career since he was a young lad and he was unfortunate that his move to Liverpool didn’t happen due to injury.
“When we were told he was on his way back from India we made contact immediately and he came done to talk to us straight away.
“Conor has a great attitude and character to go with his undoubted football prowess.
“He is a a good strong athlete who wants to move up in the game and he feels he has picked the right club to do just that. A two-year dealgives him every chance to show the fans what I have seen.”
