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Tom Sang

Tom Sang
Sang with Port Vale in 2023
Personal information
Full name Thomas Roy Sang[1]
Date of birth (1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 (age 25)[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 20
Youth career
2011–2013 Bolton Wanderers
2015–2018 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (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 58 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:12, 26 December 2024 (UTC)

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

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 he 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

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]

He scored his first career goal on 13 August 2024, in a 3–2 defeat at Barrow in the EFL Cup.[33] Moore played him on the right of a back three against Swindon Town on 28 September and played well, being given to room to allow his long passes to create chances.[34] He was named on the EFL Team of the Week for his performance, having made six key passes, won six aerial duels and collecting an assist.[35][36] He remained a key player at wingback following injury to Kyle John.[37] In November he started two games in central midfield and another two on the right of the back three, winning praise for his defensive performance in the 1–1 draw with local rivals Crewe Alexandra.[38]

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.[39]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2018–19[40] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AFC Fylde (loan) 2018–19[2] National League 0 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 1 0
Cardiff City 2019–20[41] EFL Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2020–21[42] EFL Championship 9 0 0 0 1 0 — 10 0
2021–22[43] EFL Championship 3 0 1 0 1 0 — 5 0
2022–23[44] EFL Championship 9 0 2 0 1 0 — 11 0
Total 21 0 4 0 2 0 — 27 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2020–21[42] EFL League Two 10 0 1 0 — 3[b] 0 14 0
St Johnstone (loan) 2021–22[43] Scottish Premiership 9 0 — — — 9 0
Port Vale 2023–24[45] EFL League One 38 0 4 0 5 0 1[b] 0 48 0
2024–25[46] EFL League Two 20 0 1 0 1 1 1[b] 0 23 1
Total 58 0 5 0 6 1 2 0 71 1
Career total 98 0 10 0 8 1 6 0 122 1
  1. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "T. Sang: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d 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 (14 August 2024). "Vale in talks about player deal". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  34. ^ Baggaley, Mike (29 September 2024). "Vale on a roll". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  35. ^ "See who made WhoScored's EFL Team of the Week". EFL. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  36. ^ "Five of WhoScored's top performers in Sky Bet League Two". EFL. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  37. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 October 2024). "Heady days for the Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  38. ^ Baggaley, Mike (1 December 2024). "Making plans and unexpected challenges". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  39. ^ Baggaley, Mike (16 November 2023). "Embracing the challenge as Port Vale compete on all fronts". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  40. ^ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  41. ^ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Sang in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  43. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Sang in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  44. ^ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Games played by Tom Sang in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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