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'Hoe de fans van PSV reageerden toen ik in het veld kwam, was geweldig'
The rapturous reception by the PSV aficionados was just awesome when I finally came on to the pitch.
Ryan Thomas was contracted by PSV in August 2018, but only made his debut in Eindhoven more than a year later. Already in his first training week, the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury. On Sunday, VVV-Venlo (4-1), Thomas wore the PSV shirt for the first time in an official match.
Thomas was taken over from PEC Zwolle, but after two training sessions it went wrong. "It was a difficult year for me," Thomas tells FOX Sports. "Now I have been able to make my debut for the fans. The win is a bonus."
"It happened in the first week, after two training sessions. It felt difficult to stand outside, but the boys did a fantastic job of making me feel part of the group," says Thomas. "They thought of me during my rehab. I always felt involved with the team. That was a good feeling. It was a long and lonely period. I am glad that I am now on the other side."
Thomas went through a deep trough during his rehabilitation. "After seven to eight months it became very difficult. I also had knee injuries in the past. That made it difficult during rehabilitation. I would not have done it differently and I am fitter and stronger than I was. How the fans reacted when I entered the field was amazing. "