League Two clubs Bradford City and Swindon Town are reportedly eyeing up a move for Norwich City defender Jonathan Tomkinson in the January transfer window.
The 22 year old defender has been playing for Norwich’s under 21 side this season. A decision was made in pre-season by head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup that the youngster would not be part of the first-team squad.
The two fourth division sides are rumoured to be offering the youngster a route out before a potential permanent move in the summer.
Who is Jonathan Tomkinson?
Tomkinson began his career in his native United States of America in the youth systems at FC Dallas and Solar Soccer Club before moving to England in 2019.
The former midfielder turned defender joined Norwich’s academy set up and played in the U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup and EFL Trophy games. Tomkinson made his professional debut for the East Anglian side in 2022 before making a further two first team appearances for the Canaries during the 2022-23 season.
The 22 year old spent time on loan during the second half of the 2022-23 season in League Two with Stevenage before spending the 2023-24 season on loan at Bradford City. The Bantams along with Swindon are now reportedly looking to offer the former American youth international a third loan spell in the fourth tier.
What could Jonathan Tomkinson bring to his prospective new clubs?
Upon signing a new deal with Norwich three years ago, Tomkinson described himself as:
“I’m a ball playing centre-back and that’s how I like to be, composed on the ball”
The defender played 23 games in League Two last season for Bradford and seven games for a Stevenage side promoted from the division. These loan spells, at the young age of 22, will have been good experience for his development which he can bring into a defence for the second half of the season.
When looking at his stats from last season, there is definitely some potential for Tomkinson to have a positive influence on Swindon or Bradford’s defence. The 22 year old won an average of 6.85 duels and 3.71 aerial duels per 90 minutes which shows his capability in 1 v 1 situations.
The Norwich youngster won 5.86 recoveries per 90 minutes on average as well which shows his capability to win back possession for his side in order to transition from defence to attack. When talking about Tomkinson and another defender Bradford’s manager, Graham Alexandra, had high praise for the American:
“He’s got massive potential. We saw the attributes that the two of them have, they’re really quick, mobile and they’re both competitors”.
“With JT, he’s still learning the game, but he’s really open to learning about it. As an athletic centre-back, there’s none better than him”.
Given the 22 year old’s ability and young age, should he progress within a club at League Two level then there is a potential for him to become a valuable asset in the future should his stock within the game rise.
How likely is a move for Jonathan Tomkinson?
Having been limited to appearances for Norwich’s youth sides this season it is likely to be the case that Tomkinson will want to get first team minutes at such a vital stage in his development and career. The 22 year old’s contract ends in the summer and with no discussions currently regarding a new one, he may look for a new club to prove his ability at League Two again before the summer window.
Having previously spent time at Bradford and with Graham Alexandra he may be best suited for a move to Yorkshire again to provide him with familiar surroundings and tactics. So far this season, the Bantams have constantly played within formations that deploy three at the back which is what Tomkinson was used to in the second half of last season.
However, Bradford are currently posting better defensive numbers (1.1 goals conceded per match) than Swindon (1.6 goals conceded per match) which might suggest that the Wiltshire side may provide Tomkinson with an easier route into the first team. Both sides are reportedly keen on a loan move for the youngster before deciding on whether to make the addition permanent in the summer when he becomes a free agent.
A move to League Two for the second half of the season seems likely but it may come down to details such as game time for Tomkinson which decides what club he spends the second half of the season with.
