Brandon Thomas-Asante

Brandon Thomas-Asante
Personal information
Full name Solomon Brandon Michael Clarke Thomas-Asante[1]
Date of birth (1998-12-29) 29 December 1998 (age 25)[2]
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Coventry City
Number 23
Youth career
2011–2016 Milton Keynes Dons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Milton Keynes Dons 22 (0)
2018–2019 → Sutton United (loan) 8 (0)
2019 → Oxford City (loan) 15 (3)
2019 Ebbsfleet United 4 (1)
2019–2022 Salford City 107 (26)
2022–2024 West Bromwich Albion 72 (18)
2024– Coventry City 20 (1)
International career‡
2024– Ghana 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:53, 6 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 June 2024

Solomon Brandon Michael Clarke Thomas-Asante (born 29 December 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre forward for EFL Championship club Coventry City. Born in England, he plays for the Ghana national team.

Thomas-Asante began his career with Milton Keynes Dons, where he made his professional debut aged in 2016 aged 17. After spells on loan with Sutton United and Oxford City, he left Milton Keynes in 2019, spending a short spell at Ebbsfleet United before signing for Salford City. While at Salford, he won his first trophy, the 2019–20 EFL Trophy.

Club career

Milton Keynes Dons

Thomas-Asante joined Milton Keynes Dons' academy at the age of 12, progressing through various age groups and into the club's development squad. On 6 August 2016, following an impressive pre-season, he made his debut for the first team, featuring as a substitute in the 75th minute in a 1–0 away win to Shrewsbury Town.[3] On 12 September, Thomas-Asante signed professional terms with the club, signing a one-year deal with an option of a further year.[4] On 5 November, he scored his first professional goal for the club, scoring in a 3–2 home FA Cup first round win over Spennymoor Town.[5] On 2 May 2017, following an impressive first season as a professional, Thomas-Asante was awarded the club's Academy Player of the Year for 2016–17.[6] On 14 June, Thomas-Asante's contract was extended until summer 2018,[7] and on 26 January 2018 was extended a further year until the summer of 2019.[8]

Loans, departure, spell with Ebbsfleet United

After a brief loan spell with National League club Sutton United,[9] Thomas-Asante T-Bone joined National League South club Oxford City in late January 2019 until the end of the season, eventually going on to make 15 appearances and scoring three goals.[10] Following limited first team opportunities during the 2018–19 season, Thomas-Asante confirmed on 11 May he would be leaving Milton Keynes following the expiry of his contract in June.[11]

After a spell on trial with Swindon Town, Thomas-Asante signed for National League club Ebbsfleet United on 9 August 2019.[12]

Salford City

He then signed for Salford City making his debut for the club on 3 September 2019 in a EFL Trophy match against Aston Villa Under 21's.[13] He made his league debut for the club as a substitute on 14 September.[14] His first goal for the club came on Boxing Day, scoring Salford's second in the 12th minute of a 3–1 victory against Crewe Alexandra.[15] He finished the 2019–20 campaign with six goals from 26 appearances in all competitions.

On 28 November 2020, Thomas-Asante received the first red-card of his career for a reckless foul on Newport County goalkeeper Tom King, as Salford exited the FA Cup at the second round.[16] He scored his first goal of the season against Leicester City U23s in the EFL Trophy group match that ended in a 3–3 draw after 90 minutes, eventually losing 9–8 on penalties in which he converted his penalty.[17] He played for Salford in the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final at Wembley Stadium against Portsmouth.[18] Thomas-Asante converted his penalty in the shootout as Salford won the final.[18] On 19 March 2022, Thomas-Asante scored his first career hat-trick in a 5–1 home victory over Scunthorpe United.[19]

West Bromwich Albion

On 31 August 2022, Thomas-Asante signed for EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion on a three-year contract for a fee reported to be in the region of £300,000, rejecting a move to Birmingham City.[20] On 2 September 2022, Thomas-Asante made his debut and scored his first goal, a 98th-minute equaliser for West Brom in a 1–1 home draw against Burnley.[21] Thomas-Asante finished his first West Brom season as the club's top goalscorer of the season with 9 goals, 7 of which in the league.[22] His volley against Stoke City in November was voted as West Brom's 2022–23 goal of the season.[23]

Coventry City

On 1 August 2024, Thomas-Asante signed for Championship club Coventry City on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[24] On 3 August, he made his debut in a pre-season friendly against SV Werder Bremen who compete in the Bundesliga. On 27 August, Thomas-Asante scored his first goal for Coventry City in a 1-0 win against Oxford United in the 2nd round of the EFL Cup, before following this up on 1 October where Thomas-Asante scored his first league goal for Coventry City in a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers.

International career

In December 2023, Thomas-Asante was pre-called up by the Ghana national football team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[25]

He made his debut for the Ghana national team on 10 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium. He substituted Mohammed Kudus in the 89th minute of a 4–3 Ghana victory.[26]

Personal life

Born in England, Thomas-Asante is of Ghanaian and Jamaican descent.[27]

Career statistics

As of match played 14 December 2024[28]
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Milton Keynes Dons 2016–17[29] League One 6 0 1 1 2 0 3[a] 0 12 1
2017–18[30] League One 15 0 1 0 1 0 4[a] 1 21 1
2018–19[31] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 0
Total 22 0 2 1 3 0 8 1 35 2
Sutton United (loan) 2018–19[32] National League 8 0 — — 2[b] 1 10 1
Oxford City (loan) 2018–19[32] National League South 15 3 — — 0 0 15 3
Ebbsfleet United 2019–20[32] National League 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Salford City 2019–20[33] League Two 20 6 1 0 — 5[a] 0 26 6
2020–21[34] League Two 42 5 2 0 2 0 4[a] 1 50 6
2021–22[35] League Two 39 11 1 0 0 0 3[a] 2 43 13
2022–23[36] League Two 6 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 7 5
Total 107 26 4 0 3 1 12 3 126 30
West Bromwich Albion 2022–23[36] Championship 33 7 2 2 0 0 — 35 9
2023–24[37] Championship 39 11 1 0 1 1 2[c] 0 43 12
Total 72 18 3 2 1 1 2 0 78 21
Coventry City 2024–25[38] Championship 20 1 0 0 3 2 — 23 3
Career total 247 48 9 3 10 4 24 5 290 60
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

Salford City

Individual

References

  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Brandon Thomas-Asante". 11v11. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Shrewsbury Town 0–1 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Thomas-Asante turns pro". Milton Keynes Dons. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Report: MK Dons 3-2 Spennymoor Town". Milton Keynes Dons. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Williams named Player of the Year". Milton Keynes Dons. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Five young pros to remain at Stadium MK". Milton Keynes Dons. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Brandon extends Dons stay". Milton Keynes Dons. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Thomas-Asante joins Sutton United on loan". Milton Keynes Dons. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Thomas-Asante joins on Loan". Oxford City. 28 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante becomes second player to announce MK Dons departure today". MKFM.com. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  12. ^ "Brandon lands in time for Fylde visit". Ebbsfleet United. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Salford City 2–0 Aston Villa U21s | Results 2019–20".
  14. ^ "Salford City 0–2 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport.
  15. ^ "Salford City 3–1 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  16. ^ Dunnett, Harry (28 November 2020). "Salford crash out of FA Cup after Thomas-Asante sees red". Salford Now. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Live Commentary - Salford City v Leicester City U-23". Sky Sports. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  18. ^ a b c Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Salford City 5–1 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante to West Brom confirmed ahead of busy transfer deadline day". Birmingham Mail. Reach plc. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  21. ^ "West Brom 1–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante wins Spreadex top goalscorer award". West Bromwich Albion. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante scoops Ideal Heating goal of the season gong". West Bromwich Albion. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante signs for Coventry City". 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  25. ^ "AFCON 2023 - PROVISIONAL SQUADS LIST" (PDF). p. 19.
  26. ^ "Ghana v CAR game report". ESPN. 10 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Ghanaian striker Brandon Thomas-Asante scores hat-trick as Salford City wallop Scunthorpe United". 19 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  29. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  32. ^ a b c "B. Thomas-Asante". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Games played by Brandon Thomas-Asante in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  39. ^ "West Brom's Brandon Thomas-Asante wins Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for November". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  40. ^ "Salford City FC - The winner of October's TalkTalk Goal of..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Salford City FC - Brandon Thomas-Asante has scooped the..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Brandon Thomas-Asante scoops Ideal Heating Goal of the Season gong | West Bromwich Albion". www.wba.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2023.