Sorba Thomas

Benjamin Sorba William Thomas (born 25 January 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Hull City and the Wales national team.

After leaving the West Ham United Academy at 16, Thomas played for National League side Boreham Wood until he was signed by Championship side Huddersfield Town in January 2021. Thomas helped the Terriers reach the 2022 EFL Championship play-off final, losing to Nottingham Forest. He spent time out on loan at Blackburn Rovers and French Ligue 1 side Nantes before joining Stoke City in June 2025.

Club career Early life & career Thomas was born in Barking, London and attended St Margaret's Primary School and Eastbury Community School. He played football for Barking & Dagenham District Schools team. He began playing at West Ham United's Academy before being released at 16.

Boreham Wood Thomas joined the youth academy of Boreham Wood at the age of 16. He began his senior career at Boreham Wood aged 17. He was an instrumental part of the under-18 side that reached the FA Youth Cup second round in 2016–17, which included a win over English Football League side Northampton Town. Whilst in the youth team at Boreham Wood, Thomas worked at JD Sports in Oxford Circus and also as a scaffolder. Thomas made his debut in the first team in September 2017 and came on as a substitute in the 2018 National League play-off final as Boreham Wood lost 2–1 to Tranmere Rovers. He became a regular under Luke Garrard in 2018–19 and 2019–20. His performances attracted the attentions of English Football League clubs and in January 2021 a bid was accepted by Boreham Wood from Huddersfield Town. He made his professional debut for Huddersfield in a 3–2 EFL Championship loss to Wycombe Wanderers on 13 February 2021. In the first Championship game of the 2021–22 season, a 1–1 draw with Derby County on 7 August 2021, Thomas got his first assist, supplying a cross from a free kick which was headed in by Naby Sarr. In the following game, a 5–1 home defeat to Fulham, he overhit a backpass which ultimately resulted in Fulham's opening goal, but later provided the assist for Huddersfield's only goal from a corner kick, Matty Pearson scoring with a header. On 10 September 2021, Thomas was awarded EFL Championship Player of the Month for August 2021. On 19 May 2022, one week before the 2022 EFL Championship play-off final, Thomas signed a new long-term contract with the club until summer 2026 with the club option to extend for a further year. Huddersfield lost the final 1–0 to Nottingham Forest.

In 2022–23 Huddersfield struggled at the lower end of the Championship, and on 25 January 2023, Thomas joined play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season. He played 17 times for Rovers as they missed out on a top six finish on goal difference. Thomas was a regular back at Huddersfield in 2023–24, making 42 appearances, as the Terriers suffered relegation to League One. On 30 July 2024, Thomas joined French Ligue 1 club Nantes on loan for the 2024–25 season. Thomas played 27 times for Les Canaris, scoring once in a 2–2 draw against Saint-Étienne on 29 September 2024.

Stoke City Thomas joined Stoke City on 7 June 2025, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his debut in a 3–1 victory over Derby County on 9 August 2025. Thomas became a key player in the team under Mark Robins as Stoke made a good start of the 2025–26 season and were in play-off contention up until December 2025.He played 34 times in 2025–26, scoring four goals as Stoke finished in 17th. Thomas scored twice in a 3–0 win against Charlton Athletic on 25 November 2025 with both his goals being attempted crosses. In the second half of the campaign Stoke lost their form and drifted down the table and ended up finishing in 17th position. Thomas ended the season with ten goals from 47 appearances and provided 12 assists and was voted Player of the Year. He was also included the 2025–26 EFL Championship Team of the Season.

Hull City On 1 September 2026, Thomas joined Premier League newcomers Hull City for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract.

International career

In March 2020, Thomas was called up to the England C team for the first time for a fixture against Wales C team however this match was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 28 September 2021, Thomas was called up into the senior Wales squad for the first time for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Estonia. He made his international debut for Wales on 8 October 2021 as a second-half substitute in the 2–2 draw against Czech Republic, and completed his first full 90 minutes three days later in the match against Estonia. In November 2022 he was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Thomas scored his first goal for Wales on 9 June 2025 in the 4-3 World Cup Qualifying match defeat to Belgium.

Personal life Thomas was born in England to a Sierra Leonean father and Welsh mother.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2017–18 National League

2018–19 National League

2019–20 National League

2020–21 National League

Cheshunt (loan) 2017–18 Isthmian League North

2020–21 Championship

2022–23 Championship

2023–24 Championship

2024–25 League One

114!!7!!5!!0!!3!!0!!3!!0!!125!!7 Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2022–23 Championship

2026–27 Championship

48!!10!!2!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!52!!10 Hull City 2026–27 + Appearances and goals by national team and year National team Year Apps GoalsWales2021 2 02022 5 02023 1 02024 6 02025 9 12026 4 1 Total 27 2

Scores and results list Wales' goal tally first.

Honours Individual EFL Championship Player of the Month: August 2021 Stoke City Player of the Year: 2025–26