Former Scunthorpe United Apprentice James Thomas has taken up the offer of a four-year soccer scholarship at Missouri State University.
The former Iron centre-forward was spotted by Missouri’s Head Coach Michael Seabolt at LFE’s recent nationwide Assessment Trials.
Thomas’ 50 minute performance at the Northern event in Hyde was enough to prompt Seabolt into handing him a four-year fully paid scholarship in the United States.
“James is a very good athlete with size, speed and strength and should only improve in these areas once he gets into our lifting programme,” said Seabolt.
Seabolt, a familiar face at the Trials, has always been keen to recruit ex Apprentice players to his University sides. James Fawke (Cheltenham Town), Andrew Turner (Rotherham United) and Ben Griffiths (Colchester United) have all enjoyed success out in the States after being recruited by Seabolt.
And the Missouri man is confident that his latest English signing will fare no differently.
“James has a bright future with good technical ability, good mentality and some very good qualities as an attacker. We have every bit of confidence that he can come in and compete for a spot and add to our attack in 2012 and beyond.”
