Adam Thompson (footballer)

Adam Lee Thompson (born 28 September 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender. A graduate of Watford's youth academy, he made his professional debut for Watford in 2010, and his senior international debut for Northern Ireland the following year. He played for Southend United from 2014 to 2017 and joined Bury on 1 June 2017.

Watford
A member of the Watford academy since he was eleven, he was handed the number 29 jersey for the 2010–11 season.

He made his professional debut for the club on 24 August 2010, in their 2–1 League Cup Second Round exit to Notts County at Vicarage Road. Thompson made his league debut against Burnley at home on 12 February, a game Watford lost 3–1. Thompson later signed his first professional contract at Watford, which keeps him until 2013. Thompson scored his first professional goal for Watford three days later. In June 2011, Thompson signed a new contract with Watford, keeping him until 2014.

Upon his return from his loan spell at Barnet, Thompson then made his first league appearance under Gianfranco Zola having come on as a substitute for Daniel Pudil against Birmingham City on 16 February 2013.

Loan spells
On 25 August 2011, Thompson joined Brentford on a month's loan, scoring on his Bees debut in a Football League Trophy tie away to MK Dons. His goal made the match 1–1 at the time, it finished 3–3 with Brentford winning 4–3 on penalties. His loan was later extended for another month. Thompson returned to Watford on 26 October. Thompson re-joined Brentford on a one-month youth loan in early February which was extended until the end of the season on 10 April. Throughout the season, Thompson played a total of 22 games for Brentford in all competitions, but did not make an appearance for Watford.

During the first month of the 2012–13 season, Thompson played the entire game in Watford's League Cup tie against Bradford City, and subsequently joined Wycombe Wanderers on a month-long youth loan. Two days after joining the club, Thompson made his Wycombe Wanderers debut, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Southend United. However, after just two appearances, Thompson returned to his parent club.

On 4 January 2013, Thompson joined Barnet on loan for a month. He made his debut as an 82nd-minute substitute for Ricky Holmes in a 2–0 home win over Bradford City. On 14 January, Thompson returned to Watford early after suffering a dislocated and fractured shoulder in training.

Southend United
On 9 August 2013, Thompson announced via Twitter that he had joined League Two outfit Southend United on loan. Thompson made his Southend United debut, coming on as a substitute for Marc Laird seven minutes from full-time, in a 1–0 loss against Hartlepool United. Thompson made nine appearances in the first half of the season, due to his international commitment.

In January 2014, Thompson made the move to Southend United a permanent one for undisclosed fee, signing an 18-month contract. Just after finishing his loan spell, Thompson attracted interests from two clubs before Southend United won the race to sign Thompson. Thompson's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 18 January 2014, where he set up a goal for Barry Corr, in a 3–0 win over Chesterfield. Thompson ended his season, making sixteen appearances (as well combining his loan spell at Southend United) after he injured his calf, although he never played throughout the 2013–14 season despite being fit and being once on the bench.

The next season, Thompson missed the first four matches, due being on the bench and made his first appearance, coming on as a substitute in the first half, in a 2–0 loss against Plymouth Argyle on 30 August 2014. Since recovering from a calf injury, Thompson have established himself in the 2014–15 season despite missing out for four matches in late-December. Thompson was once again on the sidelines during a match against Mansfield Town on 3 April 2015 when he was injured in the first half and had to be substituted by Cian Bolger. After having surgery, it was announced that Thompson would be out for the remainder of the season and ended his season, making twenty-nine appearances in all competitions. Despite being absent, the club went on achieve promotion to Football League One after beating Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final.

Bury
Thompson signed for Bury on 1 June 2017. He had a short loan spell at Bradford City and made nine appearances for the Bantams in 2017–18. Under the management of Ryan Lowe, Thompson in 2018–19 became a Bury first team regular, wearing the number five shirt, and captained the team on occasion as they achieved automatic promotion to League One. He left the club after the end of the season shortly before they were expelled from the EFL.

Rotherham United
On 27 August 2019, Thompson signed for Rotherham United on a two-year contract. He made 14 appearances in his first season as the Millers were promoted to the Championship, but did not make any further appearances after promotion. On 30 January 2021, Thompson left the club after his contract was mutually terminated.

Leyton Orient
On 30 January 2021, Thompson joined League Two side Leyton Orient on a contract until June 2022, which was later extended.

On 31 January 2024, he re-joined Barnet on loan until the end of the season.

International career
In September 2008 he was called up to the Northern Ireland under-17 squad.

He was a part of the under-19s run to the Milk Cup final in 2010. On 27 July he scored a vital equalizer against Mexico at the Coleraine Showgrounds, which helped take the team above Mexico on goal difference in the final table.

In August 2010, he received his first call-up the under-21 squad, and he played for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team in a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification match against Germany on 7 September 2010. He was called up to the senior Northern Ireland team for the first time in February 2011. He made his debut on 9 February 2011, as a 66th-minute substitute in Northern Ireland's 3–0 defeat to Scotland in the 2011 Nations Cup. Scotland did not score while Thompson was on the field.

Thompson was selected in the squad for Northern Ireland's fixtures against New Zealand and Azerbaijan in June 2017.

Honours
Southend United Bury Rotherham United Leyton Orient
 * Football League Two play-offs: 2014–15
 * EFL League Two runner-up: 2018–19
 * EFL League One runner-up: 2019–20


 * EFL League Two: 2022–23