Name: Tom Soares
Position: Centre Midfielder/Right Winger
Date of Birth: 10/7/1986
Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Reading
Squad Number: 8
Nickname: Arto
Former Clubs: Crystal Palace, Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday
Joined Stoke: 2008 (£1.25 million)
Tom “Arto” (think about it, it really is a good nickname) Soares, was signed from Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2008 after we failed in our attempts to sign Cardiff’s Joe Ledley, prompting many people to say that he, along with Michael Tonge, was something of a panic buy. We had to wait until October to see his debut, and there was no hint of him being a second choice player on that day, as he tore apart Tottenham’s defence with his pace and skill, winning two penalties. Unfortunately, that’s as good as it has got for his Stoke career. He enjoyed a run in the side for a few weeks after that game, but never again reached the same heights, the youthful energy and eagerness to attack seen on his debut apparently checked.
After losing his place in the first team, he was sent out on loan to Charlton, to gain experience of playing in a relegation battle at a slightly lower level, and was as successful as someone can be in a rock bottom side, impressing the Addicks fans.
In November 2009, he was sent on loan again, to Championship Sheffield Wednesday to gain first team action, after being restricted to reserve team football with Stoke. Though he doesn’t seem to be in Tony Pulis’s immediate plans, he is still young and has shown great promise. Many Stoke fans have high hopes for him for the future.
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