Genero Adran Premier champions Wrexham have completed the signing of Ipswich Town legend Natasha Thomas, who makes the switch to Wales after her departure in Suffolk.
Thomas made 260 appearances for Ipswich, scoring 175 goals, becoming the record appearance-maker and all-time top goalscorer, at a club she helped to reach WSL 2 during an eleven-year stay.
The Jamaica international joined Ipswich from Lowestoft Town in 2015, having played grassroots football for Waveney. She became the first senior international women’s team player in the club history when she made her Jamaica debut against France in 2024. The 30-year-old has made six appearances and scored three goals on the international stage for the Reggae Girlz.
She now makes the move to Wrexham ahead of the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers in July, and becomes Jenny Sugarman’s third signing of the summer.
Thomas told the Wrexham AFC media channels: “I’m really excited to be here. I always wanted the next club to be the right one for me but also know I’m the right person for the club as well.
“I had previously looked at Wrexham and seeing the team win two trophies last season was a big thing for me. I always like to win silverware, and I think that I can do that here with the Club. I am 30 years old so I can bring an abundance of experience to this team. I have that international experience as well. I am a fast player who likes to score goals, and I hope to score many at Wrexham. “
Wrexham boss Jenny Sugarman said on Thomas signing: “I’m delighted to be able to bring a player of Tash’s experience and quality to Wrexham and I’m excited to see how she will help elevate this team further. Tash has shown both with Ipswich and Jamaica her ability to link play, as well as creating and scoring goals, and her qualities will help us with our domestic and European ambitions.
“We look forward to integrating Tash into the squad over the next few weeks and get her up to speed with her teammates ahead of our historic first ever European game later this month.”
Analysis | International pedigree and the right profile on and off the pitch
Analysis by Harry Ware
Club legend and all-time top goalscorer at a WSL 2 club in England making the move to North Wales. This feels very familiar doesn’t it.
It will have the same impact too, and in Ipswich Town striker Natasha Thomas, they have a clinical goalscorer to go alongside the Genero Adran Premier top scorer Katie Barker. We await to see how that could work in Wrexham’s system, but the idea is definitely something to get excited about.
International pedigree stands out with Thomas. A player who could potentially play at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. This Jamaica side needs no introduction, with several global superstars, and you don’t need to look much further than Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw. Now, one of those stars will represent Wrexham.
A player with incredible goalscoring ability, having won the golden boot in the FA Women’s National League four years running on Ipswich’s rise to WSL 2, and a player with incredible confidence. Thomas reads the game very well, with positional awareness which has seen her become effective from both open play and set piece scenarios, and another player known for her pace, being quick off the mark in any attacking scenario.
However, we speak a lot about this Wrexham side needing the right character’s to fit into a tight-knit group. Thomas fits that profile.
Well-respected for her history making era at Ipswich, but off the pitch, Thomas was a Trustee of Ipswich Town Foundation, playing her role in the community.
“The community is a huge thing for me as well as the fans,” Thomas explained.
“I always look to the fans when I’m playing football. For me, you can see that warmth and togetherness here at Wrexham, and hopefully I can get them on board, and they will be cheering me on as well.”
On departing The Tractor Girls, Head of Women’s Football at Ipswich Town Rachel Harris said: “Natasha has been an incredible ambassador for this football club across the past decade. Her achievements speak for themselves and she leaves behind a fantastic legacy for young girls and women’s football in the region.”
She’s a hero at Ipswich Town, as was Katie Barker at Newcastle United, leaving a legacy on and off the pitch. Whilst it will be very difficult to repeat that spell at her previous club, Natasha Thomas will no doubt have the same impact that Barker had last season.
