Finley Thorndike

Finley Thorndike

Personal information
Date of birth	(2002-03-05) 5 March 2002 (age 23)
Position	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Glentoran
Number	77
Youth career
	Birmingham City
2010–2019	West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2021	West Bromwich Albion	0	(0)
2019	→ Alvechurch (loan)	4	(0)
2021–2022	Aston Villa	0	(0)
2022–2024	Birmingham City	0	(0)
2023	→ Boston United (loan)	8	(2)
2023–2024	→ Boston United (loan)	8	(0)
2024	→ Alvechurch (loan)	5	(1)
2024–2025	Glentoran	29	(4)
2025–	Crusaders	15	(2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:00, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

Finley Thorndike (born 5 March 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for NIFL Premiership team Crusaders. ^[1]

Career

Thorndike spent his early career playing for Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. ^[2] Whilst at West Brom he spent time on loan at Alvechurch in the 2019–20 season, making five appearances in all competitions. ^[3]

Thorndike returned to boyhood club Birmingham City on 1 July 2022, signing a two-year contract. ^{[4] [5] [6]} He then suffered an injury, returning to play, after three months out, in January 2023. ^[7]

He moved on loan to Boston United in March 2023, ^{[8] [9]} and returned on loan for the 2023–24 season. ^{[10] [11]} He was recalled by Birmingham in January 2024, and moved on loan to Alvechurch in March 2024, ^[12] scoring once in six appearances in all competitions. ^{[3] [13]}

He was released by Birmingham at the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[14]

He signed for Glentoran in August 2024, ^{[15] [16]} although he missed pre-season. ^[17] In October 2024 he was praised by Glentoran manager Declan Devine for his performance in the County Antrim Shield quarter-final, ^[18] and Thorndike then started three league matches in a row. ^[17] He scored his first goal for the club on 9 November 2024. ^{[19] [20]}

Thorndike signed for fellow Premiership club Crusaders in July 2025. ^[21]

References

1. Finley Thorndike at Soccerway
2. Club, Aston Villa Football (3 September 2021). "Fin Thorndike joins Aston Villa Academy". Aston Villa Football Club.
3. "Finley Thorndike | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com.
4. "Blues sign Finley Thorndike!". Birmingham City Football Club.
5. Bayliss, Jake (30 June 2022). "Birmingham City new signing Thorndike has 'come home' after Aston Villa switch". BirminghamLive.
6. Dick, Brian (1 July 2022). "Birmingham City fan Finley Thorndike opens up after Aston Villa transfer". BirminghamLive.
7. Dick, Brian (23 January 2023). "Ex-Aston Villa and West Brom trainee announces injury return for Birmingham City". BirminghamLive.
8. "Thorndike becomes latest arrival". www.bostonunited.co.uk.
9. "Blues' Finley Thorndike seals loan move". Birmingham City Football Club.
10. "United clinch Thorndike signature". www.bostonunited.co.uk.
11. "Blues' Finley Thorndike loaned to Boston United". Birmingham City Football Club.
12. "Thorndike loaned to Alvechurch". Birmingham City Football Club.
13. "Finley Thorndike – Alvechurch F.C. First Team". www.alvechurchfc.club.
14. "Blues publish retained and released players". Birmingham City Football Club.
15. "Deadline Day Welcomes | Glentoran FC". www.glentoran.com.
16. "DEADLINE DAY: Cliftonville seal a hat-trick of deals as Glentoran announce two new arrivals".
17. "Declan Devine confident former Aston Villa and Birmingham City youngster 'is going to thrive' in Irish League with Glentoran while star is given 'all-clear' to return".
18. "Declan Devine hails 'outstanding' Glentoran youngster after former West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham City playmaker helps secure Co Antrim Shield progression".
19. "Stephen McDonnell labels Glenavon performance during Glentoran defeat as 'unacceptable'".
20. "Glentoran coach eager to see 'genius' Finley Thorndike kick on from first goal". 11 November 2024 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
21. "Our Latest News, Crusaders Sign Midfielder Finley Thorndike". Crusaders Football Club.