Thomas 'Delighted' To Sign New Deal

Derby County Under-23s’ Luke Thomas couldn’t hide his delight after signing a new three-year contract with the club.

The 18-year-old has made a flying start to the 2017/18 season and he’s been rewarded with a deal that will keep him at the club until at least 2020.

After putting pen to paper, Thomas expressed his gratitude towards the club for providing the ideal platform to continue his development in the coming years.

Speaking to RamsTV, he said: “I’m delighted to sign a new deal, it’s a really proud day for me, my family and my friends.

“I owe a massive thank you to everyone at Derby County for giving me this opportunity.

“I’ve got myself into the team, I’ve kept my shirt and I think I’m performing on a consistent basis now.”

After joining the Rams from Cheltenham Town in January 2016, Thomas endured a difficult start, but a positive loan spell at Gloucester City last season helped him to turn things around.

Looking back, he admits that he was in need of a “wake-up call” in order to kick-start his progression.

He added: “I didn’t settle in too well, I probably wasted the first six months here, I wasn’t playing good football.

“I had a little bit of a wake-up call. At the start, you just see all the first team players and it’s like a dream. Now I feel like I’m meant to be here and that I have a place.”

The midfielder was nominated for the September Premier League 2 Player of the Month award and despite missing out to Liverpool’s Harry Wilson, his place on the shortlist was deserved recognition for an impressive campaign so far.

With his long-term future now confirmed, Thomas is looking ahead, but first, he just wants to make sure that he can continue what he’s started this season.

When asked about his goals for the future, he said: “The aim is to keep my place in the Under-23s and hopefully I can get a few training sessions in with the first team.

“It would be a dream to make my debut and who knows, in the next three years that could be a possibility.”