Ryan Thomas

New Zealand

Thomas was born in Te Puke, New Zealand, attended Tauranga Boys' College and played his youth football at Mount Maunganui Tauranga City AFC and Waikato club Melville United in the NRFL Premier. He made his debut off the bench on 30 July 2011, alongside fellow current professional Jesse Edge, and scored in the 3–1 win against Forrest Hill Milford. Thomas was announced as part of the squad for New Zealand Football Championship side Waikato FC at the beginning of the 2011–12 season, joining other future New Zealand international Tyler Boyd. Thomas was later convinced by his previous Waikato FC manager, Declan Edge, to leave his current side to join the Olé Football Academy in Wellington, along with several other Waikato players. During this time, Thomas played for the Olé Academy-affiliated club Western Suburbs. Noting Thomas' exceptional talent, Edge organised a trial for the 18-year-old at Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle.

PEC Zwolle

Following a successful trial period in the Netherlands, Thomas signed for PEC Zwolle in September 2013, and made his debut for the club on 30 October 2013 against amateur side Wilhelmina '08 in the third round of the KNVB Cup, scoring the first goal in a 4–0 win. He quickly became a key winger for the club; his successful debut season culminated in winning the KNVB Cup, with Thomas scoring two goals in the final in a 5–1 win over AFC Ajax. Thomas continued to impress for PEC Zwolle in the following seasons following his…

Club

As of match played 23 August 2024

Thomas made his international debut for New Zealand when he played in a 2–4 friendly loss to Japan in March 2014. He scored his first international goals on 28 March 2017, netting a brace in a 2–0 win over Fiji.

International goals

Scores and results list New Zealand's goal tally first.

Club

Waikato FC

NZF Cup runner-up: 2011–12 PEC Zwolle

KNVB Cup: 2014; runner-up 2015 Johan Cruijff Shield: 2014 Eerste Divisie; runner-up 2022–23 (promoted)

International

OFC U-20 Championship: 2013

Individual

Oceania Footballer of the Year, 2015 IFFHS OFC Men's Team of the Decade 2011–2020 IFFHS Oceania Men's Team of All Time: 2021