Thompson
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Midfielder Liam Thompson is now in the third year on the first team with Derby County.
He enjoyed an impressive breakthrough into the first team during the 2021/22 campaign and the central midfielder made an immediate impact after being handed his debut against AFC Bournemouth in November 2021.
He had to wait patiently for his opportunity owing to a player registration embargo placed upon the club but once given his chance he took it with both hands, putting in a man-of-the-match display against the Cherries in a 3-2 victory at Pride Park Stadium.
Thompson went on to make 24 appearances in total and following the conclusion of the club's takeover by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, he put pen-to-paper on a new two-year contract with the club.
He found opportunities limited in the 2022/23 season but did score his first senior goal in an FA Cup First Round replay victory over Torquay United in November 2022. He also had a brief spell on loan at National League side Scunthorpe United to gain first team experience.
Prior to making the senior squad, Academy graduate Thompson made the step up from the Under-18s to become a permanent member of the club’s Under-21 squad during the 2020/21 season.
A key member of the Under-18s’ title-winning side during the 2018/19 season in his first year as a scholar, Thompson maintained his progress in 2019/20.
Thompson made 19 appearances for the Under-18s during the campaign, while he also played nine times for the Under-23s. He also recorded six appearances in the UEFA Youth League during the season for the club’s Under-19 side.
Thompson was a regular in his first season with the Under-23s during the 2020/21 season. He provided three assists in his 17 Premier League 2 - Division 1 appearances.
He also started in Derby County's FA Cup meeting against Chorley in 2020/21, in which the Rams fielded a team entirely of Academy players with the first team forced to isolate due to COVID-19.
It provided him with a solid platform to build on going into the 2021/22 season where he grasped the opportunity to shine with both hands.
