The key notes you need to know on MK Dons' newest signing - Louis Thompson.
Started at Swindon
Louis Thompson spent time in the Norwich City Academy before breaking into senior football but it was with Swindon Town where he began his footballing career.
Alongside his brother Nathan, he progressed through the youth system in Wiltshire before making his debut as a substitute in an EFL Cup tie with Aston Villa in October 2012.
The midfielder established himself as a first-team regular with the Robins, playing 44 times before the age of 20 when he joined Norwich City for an undisclosed fee, agreeing a three-year deal at Carrow Road with an option for a further 12 months.
Thompson has since enjoyed loan spells back at the County Ground, taking his total number of appearances for Swindon to 105 – most of which were made during the Robins’ time in League One.
Wales prospect
After breaking onto the first-team scene at an early age, Thompson quickly caught the eye of Wales, who he is eligible to play for through his grandmother.
He earned his first call-up to the Wales Under-19s squad in September 2012 for their international friendly Germany, and went on to earn three further caps during the 2012/13 season.
The following year, he made the step up to the Under-21s side but didn’t make his debut for that age group until featuring off the bench in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying tie with Luxembourg in September 2015. He appeared again for the Under-21s a month later away at Denmark.
Thompson has yet to make his senior debut for Wales but was called up to a training camp by the Welsh national team back in May.
He joins Regan Poole and Joe Walsh as the Dons’ three Wales internationals.
Played a part in promotion
Thompson’s breakthrough into the Norwich City side came at the start of last season – their title-winning Sky Bet Championship campaign.
While injuries limited his match action, the midfielder did play eight times for the Canaries in 2018/19, including a start at home to Leeds United. Six of his appearances came in the league.
Norwich went on to secure the Sky Bet Championship title and promotion to the Premier League.
Familiar faces at Stadium MK
While Thompson will have to take time to settle into a new club, his transition should be made easier by the number of players he will know from his spells at both Norwich City and Swindon Town.
During his time with the Robins, the midfielder worked under Luke Williams while he also featured alongside Ryan Harley and Ben Gladwin. He also played with former Don Alan Navarro at the County Ground.
At Norwich City, Thompson progressed through the youth ranks with Carlton Morris and Conor McGrandles while he played alongside his now manager, Russell Martin, several times during the 2016/17 season.
