Kolkata: Two time ISL champions Atletico de Kolkata on Monday completed the signing of former Manchester United Academy graduate defender Thomas Joseph Thorpe, better known as ‘Tom’ for the upcoming Indian Super League season.
Excited to join the Kolkata franchise, Tom said, “It is a fantastic opportunity which has come my way. ATK is popular among football fans globally. I will learn a lot under Teddy’s leadership. Will play to win but I am sure my stint in ATK will have a remarkable impression on my career path. Above all I would like to thank the management for choosing me to be a part of this squad.”
The 24-year-old Englishman, who had captained the Manchester United reserves team to their first U-21 title, made his Premier League debut in the 2014-15 season under Louis Van Gaal. He came on as a late substitute replacing Di Maria in United’s 2-1 win over West Ham United.
However, the very next season he was released by the Red Devils, after he was deemed surplus and joined Rotherham United in a two years deal. Having spent most of his career as a loanee, Thorpe made subsequent appearances for Bolton Wanderers in the previous season, on loan from Rotherham United. He made a total of 25 appearances for them scoring one goal.
But, unlike his club career his international career has been sort of a successful one, having represented England at all the levels from the U-16 to the U-21s. A part of the U-17 team that won the 2010 UEFA European U-17 Championship, Tom was named the captain of the U-19 English team for the 2012 U-19 UEFA European Championship. He so played in the 2013 U-20 World Cup for England and made his U-21 debut the same year again Scotland.
Welcoming the newest member of the club, Sanjiv Goenka, the principal owner of ATK said, “We welcome Tom to our ATK family. We all are happy to have him in the team. He is an asset which will strengthen our team’s defence.”
A Manchester United Academy product the defender will not only join United great Teddy Sheringham but also Ashley Westwood, another Manchester United Academy graduate in the ATK setup and Sheringham will only hope that Thorpe can use his Premier League experience to help the side win their third ISL trophy in four years.