Luke Thomas (footballer, born 2001)

Luke Jonathan Thomas (born 10 June 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for club Leicester City.

Club career
Thomas was born in Syston, Leicestershire and joined the Leicester City Academy in 2008 from local club Riverside FC. He made his professional debut in a 2–0 Premier League win against Sheffield United on 16 July 2020. He came on as a result of an injury to first team left back Ben Chilwell, providing an assist for the first goal, which was scored by Ayoze Pérez. On 25 August, it was announced that he had signed a new long term deal with the club.

On 29 October 2020, Thomas made his European debut in the UEFA Europa League during a 2–1 win over AEK Athens replacing Christian Fuchs in 46th minute. On 26 November, Thomas scored his first Leicester goal in a 3–3 away draw against Braga in the group stage of the Europa League.

On 11 May 2021, Thomas scored his first Premier League goal for Leicester City in a 2–1 away victory over Manchester United, their first win at Old Trafford since 1998. Four days later he started in the 2021 FA Cup final which saw Leicester beat Chelsea to win the trophy for the first time in their history. On 7 August 2021 Thomas came off the bench as a second-half substitute as Leicester defeated Manchester City in the 2021 FA Community Shield.

On 31 August 2023, Thomas joined Premier League club Sheffield United on a season long loan. On 12 January 2024, his loan was mutually terminated and he returned to Leicester. He joined Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season later in the same month.

International career
Having represented England at U18 and U19 level, Thomas made his England U20 debut during a 2–0 victory over Wales at St. George's Park on 13 October 2020.

On 27 August 2021, Thomas received his first call up for the England U21s. On 7 September 2021, he made his England U21 debut during the 2–0 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification win over Kosovo U21s at Stadium MK.

On 14 June 2023, Thomas was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He started in the semi-final victory over Israel. Thomas was an unused substitute in the final as England beat Spain to win the tournament.

Personal life
Thomas was included in the official UEFA Euro 2024 sticker book, despite never being selected for the senior England team. This was due to new manufacturers Topps not having the image rights to certain England players, whose rights were retained by Panini Group.

Honours
Leicester City
 * FA Cup: 2020–21
 * FA Community Shield: 2021

England U21
 * UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023