Tom Sang

Last updated
Tom Sang
Tom Sang (2).jpg
Sang with Port Vale in 2023
Personal information
Full name Thomas Roy Sang [1]
Date of birth (1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 (age 24) [2]
Place of birth Liverpool, England [2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder; right-back
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Number 4
Youth career
2011–2013 Bolton Wanderers
2015–2018 Manchester United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018–2019 Manchester United 0 (0)
2019 → AFC Fylde (loan) 0 (0)
2019–2023 Cardiff City 21 (0)
2020–2021 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 10 (0)
2022 → St Johnstone (loan) 9 (0)
2023– Port Vale 38 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:55, 20 April 2024 (UTC)

Thomas Roy Sang (born 29 June 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Port Vale. A versatile defensive midfielder, he can also play at right-back. His father, Neil, also played professional football.

Contents

Sang began his career in the youth team at Bolton Wanderers, before joining Manchester United following a successful trial in 2019. He spent the second half of the 2018–19 season on loan at AFC Fylde, and signed with Cardiff City following a trial spell. He spent time on loan at Cheltenham Town and St Johnstone, before moving to Port Vale on a free transfer in July 2023.

Early life

Thomas Roy Sang was born in Liverpool on 29 June 1999. [2] His father, Neil Sang, is a former professional football player and agent. [3] It was reported that his grandfather was Malaysian, giving him eligibility to represent Malaysia internationally. [4]

Club career

Early career

Sang began his career with Bolton Wanderers at under-13 level, but was released after his under-14 season. [5] He spent 18 months without a club, during which time he struggled with injuries, before signing for Manchester United in 2015 after a successful trial; he later turned professional at the club, signing a contract extension in May 2018. [3] [5] [6] United coach Kieran McKenna said that he was a "hard-working and diligent lad" after manager José Mourinho called him up to train with the first-team in October 2018. [3] In January 2019, Sang joined AFC Fylde on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season; [7] Dave Challinor's side were fourth in the National League at the time. [8] However, he did not feature in the league or in the 2019 FA Trophy final victory over Leyton Orient. [9]

Cardiff City

Sang was released by Manchester United in the summer of 2019 and subsequently signed for EFL Championship club Cardiff City after a trial period. He made his professional debut after coming on as a substitute for Gavin Whyte in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Reading in the FA Cup on 4 February 2020. [10]

On 22 September 2020, he joined EFL League Two side Cheltenham Town on loan until January 2021. [11] He made his first Football League appearance for Cheltenham in a 2–0 win over Crawley Town at Whaddon Road on 10 October. [12] He made 14 appearances in all competitions for Cheltenham before returning to Cardiff in January 2021, winning praise from Cheltenham manager Michael Duff for his dedication and enthusiasm. [13] [14] He had started just three league games for Cheltenham, playing largely in an attacking central midfield role, though Cardiff manager Neil Harris noted that Cheltenham had been in excellent form. [15] He had also been used at right-back towards the end of his loan spell and later acknowledged that he had learnt a lot despite initially being disappointed with the amount of gametime he had at Whaddon Road. [16]

He made his league debut for Cardiff on 5 March 2021, playing as right-back in a 0–0 draw away at Huddersfield Town. [17] He signed a new two-year deal the following month. [18] He was preferred to Perry Ng at right-back by manager Mick McCarthy towards the end of the 2020–21 season. [5] However, speaking in January 2022, new manager Steve Morison said that he saw Sang as a central midfield player, leaving him to compete with Joe Ralls, Will Vaulks, Marlon Pack, Leandro Bacuna, Sam Bowen and Ryan Wintle for one of three available places in the starting eleven. [19] On 31 January, Sang joined Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season. [20] He impressed during his home debut at McDiarmid Park, showing "ambition, energy and a willingness to advance deep into opposition territory" throughout a 2–1 win over Heart of Midlothian after starting the sequence of play that led to Ali Crawford's opening goal within the first minute of the match; an Opta Sports analysis showed him to be a key performer in the game. [21] [22] He played nine games for Callum Davidson's Saints, mainly at right-back, though was an unused substitute in both legs of the play-off victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. [23] [24]

He impressed Cardiff manager Steve Morison by playing in central midfield during friendly games in summer 2022, though faced competition from Joe Ralls, Andy Rinomhota, Romaine Sawyers, Rubin Colwill, Ryan Wintle, Eli King and Ebou Adams for a starting place. [25] He was not utilised by manager Sabri Lamouchi in the second half of the 2022–23 season. [26] Sang made 18 starts and nine substitute appearances during a four-year stay at the Cardiff City Stadium. [2]

Sang warming up for Port Vale in October 2023 Tom Sang (1).jpg
Sang warming up for Port Vale in October 2023

Port Vale

On 12 June 2023, Sang signed a two-year deal with EFL League One club Port Vale to run from 1 July. [27] Manager Andy Crosby said that "his versatility will give us options", whilst the club's director of football, David Flitcroft, said that "he will add a different dimension to our midfield". [28] An injury crises left him playing out of position at left-wing-back in November. However, he adapted well to the role as a right-footed player. [29] Sang himself was injured at the end of the calendar year, as an Achilles tendon problem saw him sidelined for a few weeks. [30] He adapted well to playing at full-back when new manager Darren Moore switched to a back four in February. [31] He adapted well to being played on the right of a back three in a 0–0 draw at Wigan Athletic on 6 April. [32]

Style of play

Sang is a versatile midfielder who is also able to play at right-back or as an attacking wing-back. [5] Attacking from the wings he can cut inside and whip in dangerous, inswinging crosses. [33]

Career statistics

As of match played 20 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United 2018–19 [34] Premier League 0000000000
AFC Fylde (loan) 2018–19 [2] National League 0000—1 [lower-alpha 1] 010
Cardiff City 2019–20 [35] EFL Championship 001000—10
2020–21 [36] EFL Championship900010—100
2021–22 [37] EFL Championship301010—50
2022–23 [38] EFL Championship902010—110
Total2104020—270
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2020–21 [36] EFL League Two 10010—3 [lower-alpha 2] 0140
St Johnstone (loan) 2021–22 [37] Scottish Premiership 90———90
Port Vale 2023–24 [39] EFL League One 38040501 [lower-alpha 2] 0480
Career total780907050990
  1. ↑ Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Joyce</span> English footballer

Luke James Joyce is an English former professional footballer who is now the Lead North Scout at Premier League club Brentford. He made 700 league and cup appearances in a 19-year professional playing career.

Carl Matthew Dickinson is an English football player and manager who plays for Midland League Premier Division club Congleton Town.

Christopher Michael Neal is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club AFC Fylde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Brown (footballer, born April 1985)</span> English footballer

Scott Peter Andrew Brown is an English former football player who is a goalkeeper coach at EFL Championship club Rotherham United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Proctor</span> English footballer

Jamie Thomas Proctor is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Barrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matty Kennedy</span> Northern Irish professional footballer (born 1994)

Matthew Kennedy is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock. Having represented Scotland at youth international level, he has represented Northern Ireland at senior international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Conlon</span> English footballer

Tom George Sawyer Conlon is an English footballer who plays for National League club Oldham Athletic. He has represented the England C team. He is a descendant of Football League players George Heppell and Albert Pearson.

Daniel Whitehead is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club AFC Fylde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uche Ikpeazu</span> English association football player

Karl Anthony Uchechukwu Mubiru Ikpeazu is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Port Vale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Wilson (English footballer)</span> English footballer

James Antony Wilson is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Port Vale.

Ryan Thomas William Boot is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club Chesterfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Smith (footballer, born 1996)</span> English footballer

Nathan James Smith is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Port Vale, where he is also club captain. He has won praise for mental attributes such as bravery, consistency and commitment, as well as for his pace and strength.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Gibbons (footballer)</span> English footballer

James Andrew Gibbons is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for EFL League One club Cambridge United, on loan from EFL League One club Bristol Rovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Harris (Welsh footballer)</span> Welsh footballer

Thomas Mark Harris is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Oxford United and the Wales national team. A versatile forward, he is able to play as a winger or as a striker.

Samuel Connor Hornby is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League Two club Colchester United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Clark (footballer, born 1999)</span> Welsh footballer

Mitchell Reece Clark is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Port Vale. He has represented Wales at youth level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lewis Cass (footballer)</span> English footballer

Lewis Graham Cass is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Stockport County, on loan from EFL League One club Port Vale.

James John Plant is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for EFL League One club Port Vale. He has previously played on loan at Nantwich Town and Salisbury.

Oliver Luke Arblaster is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Sheffield United.

Joshua John Thomas is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Swansea City and the Wales under-21 national team.

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "T. Sang: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Bray, Joe (22 October 2018). "Who is Tom Sang? Manchester United youngster trains with first-team ahead of Juventus game". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  4. ↑ Fahmi, Nabil (21 January 2024). "Bakat Baru: Bekas Pemain Muda Man United Berpotensi Sarung Jersi Malaysia". Makan Bola (in Malay). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Williams, Glen (12 April 2021). "The journey of Tom Sang, the Man Utd kid who found home at Cardiff City". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Marshall, Adam (1 May 2018). "Tom Sang signs contract extension". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Tom Sang Joins from Manchester United". AFC Fylde. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  8. ↑ Marshall, Adam (31 January 2019). "Tom Sang joins AFC Fylde on loan". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  9. ↑ Marshall, Adam (14 May 2019). "How young Man Utd players fared with loan clubs in 2018/19 season". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Pritchard, Dafydd (4 February 2020). "Reading fight back to beat Cardiff on penalties". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Tom Sang: Cheltenham Town bring in versatile Cardiff City player on loan". BBC Sport. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "Cheltenham 2-0 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Palmer, Jon (4 January 2021). "Cardiff City's former Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Tom Sang leaves Cheltenham Town after loan spell". gloucestershirelive.co.uk. Reach PLC. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Joyce, Richard (5 January 2021). "Duff reflects on Sang departure". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  15. ↑ Palmer, Jon (4 January 2021). "Midfielder leaves Cheltenham Town after loan spell". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  16. ↑ Williams, Glen (24 September 2021). "Tom Sang's 'brutal' rollercoaster journey from Man Utd to Cardiff City". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  17. ↑ Long, Dan (5 March 2021). "Huddersfield 0-0 Cardiff City: Yaya Sanogo misses penalty in stalemate at John Smith's Stadium". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "Tom Sang signs new Cardiff City deal | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  19. ↑ Williams, Glen (13 January 2022). "Morison makes definitive call over Cardiff star which prompted Leeds Utd signing". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Tom Sang joins on loan from Cardiff City". St Johnstone F.C. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  21. ↑ Gallagher, Matthew (20 February 2022). "Tom Sang simply loved playing his part in St Johnstone's win against Hearts". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  22. ↑ Nicolson, Eric (21 February 2022). "St Johnstone Opta analysis: Cardiff City loan star Tom Sang has the full package to be the next Callum Davidson right wing-back success story". The Courier. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  23. ↑ Campbell, Campbell (20 May 2022). "McAlear earns Inverness unlikely play-off draw". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  24. ↑ Campbell, Andy (23 May 2022). "Saints 'have work to do' after securing survival". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  25. ↑ Williams, Glen (13 July 2022). "Steve Morison reveals Cardiff man now 'in the mix' after being on brink of exit". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  26. ↑ Jones, Jordan (12 June 2023). "Bristol Rovers transfer revelation emerges on Cardiff City star". Bristol World. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Port Vale agree to sign Cardiff midfielder Sang". BBC Sport. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Port Vale FC announce Tom Sang as first summer signing". Port Vale F.C. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  29. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (29 November 2023). "Mounting problems for Port Vale after Derby defeat". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  30. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (4 January 2024). "Injury and transfer window update as Port Vale prepare for Charlton". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  31. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (23 February 2024). "Crunch time for Port Vale as Fleetwood await". The Valiant. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  32. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (7 April 2024). "Improving Vale out of drop zone with hard-earned Wigan point". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  33. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (16 November 2023). "Embracing the challenge as Port Vale compete on all fronts". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  36. 1 2 "Games played by Tom Sang in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Games played by Tom Sang in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.