Thomas learning his trade

Make a list of the Honduran players currently plying their trade in Europe and the first names that spring to mind will be Wilson Palacios, David Suazo, Maynor Figueroa and Julio de Leon. Yet, there is one other Catracho export who is making a name for himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world and is seemingly poised to join that select band.

The man in question is Hendry Thomas, a reliable defensive midfielder who has impressed the English Premier League’s demanding fans since joining Wigan Athletic in June last year. And with the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ looming ever closer, the 25-year-old international will soon have the chance to introduce himself to an even larger audience.

Given Thomas’ footballing lineage, it is no surprise to see him forging a successful career in the game. A cousin of the free-scoring Suazo, he can also count two other professional footballers among his relatives: Maynor Suazo and Allan Lalin.

Precociously talented as a youngster, Thomas made his debut in the Honduran top flight for Club Deportivo Olimpia at the age of only 16. After turning 23 he was given a trial by French first division outfit Toulouse, only for his lack of experience to prevent him being offered a contract.

Thomas would learn from the setback, however, as he recently explained. “I felt awful when that happened to me. I didn’t want to go back to Honduras and I wanted to give up football. My family rallied round though, and they convinced me to keep going.”

"Every week we come up against great players but as soon as the whistle blows you have to be professional and get on with the job of competing against them." (Hendry Thomas on playing in England.)

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