George Louis Elliot Thorne (born 4 January 1993) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently Emerging Talent Coach at Cambridge United.

Club career West Bromwich Albion Born in Chatham, Thorne joined West Bromwich Albion's Academy in 2005, having been one of the many talented youngsters who were left without a club when Cambridge United's youth scheme closed. He made his debut in a 4–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in 2009–10, coming off the bench for Simon Cox. At 16 years, 328 days, this made him the youngest player to represent Albion in a senior competitive match since Bobby Hope in April 1960. In January 2010, Thorne signed his first professional contract with Albion, doing so prior to the club's home game with Nottingham Forest.

Portsmouth (loan) On 24 November 2011, Thorne joined Championship team Portsmouth on loan until 2 January 2012, alongside Joe Mattock.Appleton makes his mark on Blues ; Portsmouth.co.uk, 25 November 2011 He made his début two days later, starting in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City at Fratton Park."Portsmouth 1–1 Leicester" BBC Sport. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012. On 20 December 2011, he was recalled along with two other players also on loan at other clubs due to an injury crisis. On 18 February 2012, he rejoined Portsmouth on loan."Thorne rejoins Pompey on loan" Sky Sports. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012. He made his second debut in a 2–0 defeat against Barnsley the same day."Barnsley 2–0 Portsmouth" BBC Sport. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012. On 30 March, he suffered an ankle injury in the game against Burnley, being ruled out for the rest of the season, and returning to West Brom.Thorne Returns To West Brom ; Portsmouth F.C., 5 April 2012

Peterborough United (loan) On 21 November 2012, he joined Peterborough United on loan until January."George Thorne joins Peterborough on loan from West Brom until January" Sky Sports. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012. He made his debut three days later, helping Peterborough secure a 1–1 draw away to Ipswich Town."Ipswich 1–1 Peterborough" BBC Sport. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012. He scored his first goal on 22 December in a 5–4 win against Bolton Wanderers."Peterborough 5–4 Bolton" BBC Sport. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.

Return to West Brom On 28 December 2012, West Brom manager Steve Clarke recalled Thorne from Peterborough. Two days later, Thorne started in central midfield in a Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Watford (loan) On 6 November 2013, Thorne went out on loan to Watford until 2 January 2014.

Derby County (loan) On 30 January 2014, Thorne went out on loan to Derby County for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. Thorne's first appearance for Derby County came in their 5–0 win against rivals Nottingham Forest in March 2014. He scored his first goal for Derby against Doncaster on 18 April 2014. He played his final game of the loan spell for the Rams in the Championship Play-off Final at Wembley, where his side lost 1–0 to QPR.

Derby County On 18 July 2014, Derby County agreed a fee with West Bromwich Albion for Thorne. The following day, after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, Thorne joined Derby on a four-year contract. It is predicted the fee was between £2.6 million and £3.2 million.

On 22 July 2014, Thorne suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during a friendly match against Zenit Saint Petersburg and was ruled out of football for up to nine months.

Having fought hard to get back to fitness and into the first team again, on 7 May 2016, Thorne suffered a broken leg during the final league game of the season against Ipswich Town and was ruled out of football for over a year. This was due to a number of complications during operations and his recovery, and despite having the ability and football brain, he was physically not the same player after this injury.

Thorne joined League One club Luton Town on 7 January 2019 on loan until the end of 2018–19.

Oxford United He joined another League One club, Oxford United, on 19 August 2019 on loan until January 2020. The loan was made permanent on 22 January 2020, with Thorne signing a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season. In August 2020, Oxford announced that Thorne has been released by mutual consent.

Bedford Town On 12 September 2022, Thorne signed for Southern League Premier Division Central club Bedford Town.

International career Thorne was called up to England Under-16 on 23 October 2008 for the Victory Shield, in which England had to face Wales U16. He made his England U16 debut, coming on in the 58th minute and making an assist for England. In May 2010, Thorne helped the under-17 team win their first ever European Championship, coming off the bench in the final as England triumphed 2–1 over Spain."Baggies duo are Euro champs" , West Bromwich Albion F.C., 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.

Coaching career In May 2023, Thorne was appointed assistant manager of United Counties League Premier Division South side St Neots Town. After just a few months, he departed the club.

In September 2025, Thorne was appointed Emerging Talent Coach at League Two club Cambridge United.

Personal life Thorne announced his retirement from full time professional football during a BBC Radio Derby commentary on 23 August 2022, he cited his multiple injuries, mental health and family as the main factors of his decision.

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWest Bromwich Albion2009–10Championship100000—102010–11Premier League100000—102011–12Premier League301020—602012–13Premier League502020—902013–14Premier League000000—00Total1003040—170Portsmouth (loan)2011–12Championship140———140Peterborough United (loan)2012–13Championship71———71Watford (loan)2013–14Championship80———80Derby County (loan)2013–14Championship91——31122Derby County2014–15Championship300000—302015–16Championship3421110003632016–17Championship000000—002017–18Championship2001010002202018–19Championship000000—002019–20Championship00—00—00Total663212031735Luton Town (loan)2018–19League One30———30Oxford United2019–20League One4010200070Career total11246180311296

Honours England U17 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship champions: 2010

References

External links