THOMAS was handed a one-year extension in July 2010 - keeping him at The Hawthorns until June 2012 - plus a further year's option in the club's favour.

He made an impressive return to top-flight life last term, starting all-but six of Albion's league fixtures, scoring three times and stacking up a host of assists to help the Baggies secure their highest-ever Barclays Premier League finish of 11th.

He moved to the Black Country outfit as a Bosman signing in summer 2009 following an injury-hit season with Portsmouth.

He overcame his back problems to score seven goals in 29 appearances, including five as a substitute, primarily on the left wing.

But he was left regretting bans totalling eight games following red-card incidents in Albion's Carling Cup clash at his former club Arsenal and in the league encounter at Plymouth.

Thomas made a name for himself during three-and-a-half seasons of Premier League football with Charlton, catching the eye with his pacey wing play.

Relegation followed in 2007 but after a year in the Coca-Cola Championship, he earned a top-flight return in the summer of 2008 when he was snapped up by then-Fratton Park boss Harry Redknapp for an undisclosed fee.

However, his impressive start to the campaign was cut short by a back injury, which he suffered late August, and he was released by Pompey in June 2009.

Wembley-born Thomas started his career as a schoolboy at Luton before signing for Arsenal as a trainee at 18.

He helped the Gunners lift the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001 and played for England Under-19s and 20s before scoring once in two Under-21s appearances.

The following year, he enjoyed two short loan spells at QPR and, on his return to Highbury in February 2004, he turned down a new one-year contract and joined Charlton in a £100,000 deal.

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(LAST UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2011)