Luke Thomas explains reason behind Bristol Rovers transfer with Barnsley message

Luke Thomas hopes to play regular football at Bristol Rovers following his summer transfer from Barnsley.

The 24-year-old has joined the Gas on a three-year deal having turned down Barnsley’s offer of a new contract. Thomas, who had a loan spell in the 2021/22 promotion-winning campaign, was a long-term target of Joey Barton, and was delighted to have landed one of his former players.

“I’m delighted to be back,” said Thomas in an interview with the club last week. I can’t wait now, I’m looking forward to the start of the season, and see all the lads on Monday.

“I just want to get back to playing week-in-week-out first and foremost,” added Thomas when asked of his goals for the upcoming season, and for the duration of his stay at the Mem.

“Hopefully we can create good things here, it’s a three-year deal, so it’s a long time to make things happen. The staff they’ve got here, they’re all ambitious, I’m certainly ambitious, you’ll never know what we can achieve but let’s look forward to it.”

Thomas spent last season back at Barnsley and managed to fight his way back into the side, having fallen out of favour under various managers. He got an opportunity under Michael Duff and managed to get three assists and a goal in 29 games for the Tykes.

Barnsley’s season finished with a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Thomas came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and played alongside former namesake Bobby Thomas, who had spent the first part of the campaign at the Memorial Stadium.

The result of not winning promotion, saw manager Duff depart for Swansea City, and in a triple-whammy for the Tykes, loan goalkeeper Harry Isted joined league rivals Charlton, before Thomas put pen to paper at Rovers. The former Derby County winger reflected on his time at Oakwell and backed his former club to be successful.

“Heartbreaking way to lose,” he said. Such a cruel game, not the best game. To lose in the last kick of the game was so cruel, what a day, a really good season with Barnsley.

“I think we passed our own expectations to get there, it was unfortunate we couldn’t finish the job, but I’m sure they’ll be back better next season.”