Since turning his back on the English top-flight as a Coventry City Academy player ten years ago, Thomson has been working his way to the top of the Scottish Premier League with first Hibernian and then Rangers.
And after three successful years with the Glasgow giants the 25-year-old moved to Middlesbrough this summer and played his first match in Monday's 1-1 draw with Athlone Town.
Protracted negotiations between the two clubs meant Thomson had plenty of time to weigh up the merits of making the switch to the Championship and he makes no secret of the doubts he had.
However, having sat down with Gordon Strachan and discussing the move with former Rangers team-mate Kris Boyd, Thomson agreed to complete a £2m transfer from Ibrox in the hope of playing in the top tier of English football within 13 months.
At one stage Rangers tried to keep me, said Thomson. I wasn't sure about moving. I had the opportunity to come down and talk it over and I wasn't too sure.
I have a young family and these are the things I needed to consider. I spoke to the gaffer (Strachan) and he told me his intentions and it made things easier. When I came down last Thursday to look at the set up, I felt it was right and I'm looking forward to the season ahead now.
Having agreed to turn his back on another season in the Champions League with Rangers, Thomson had every right to question whether the Championship was the best move.
From a player's point of view, and a personal point of view, I certainly wasn't happy to join a Championship club happy to stay a Championship club, said Thomson. It's quite clear the manager wants to have a real go by the money he is spending and the players he is bringing in.
He wants to add further quality and if that can be added I'm sure the golden carrot of playing in the Premier League, which excites me, will be fulfilled.
Thomson only had a year remaining on his terms at Rangers and with money tight at Ibrox he knew a new contract was unlikely to arrive which matched his own demands.
But having become the last of seven permanent acquisitions from Scotland by Strachan, Thomson is confident of what lies ahead.
I had to decide whether to stay or go. To stay and see out my contract and have another year at Rangers. I felt this was the right move for me, said Thomson, likely to start against Bray. I'm 25 now, this is a fresh start and I'm excited about the future, a future hopefully in the Premier League.
It was not the best of starts on Monday night but we need to get games under the belt and try to get up to full speed for the new season. The new manager has come in and he has been backed by the chairman to bring in new players, there's a few new faces and is still looking to bring in more new players. Hopefully we can have a successful season.
Strachan remains keen on adding to his squad and fresh contact has been made with Dundee United for £1.2mrated winger Craig Conway.
He is also interested in Rochdale defender Craig Dawson and Hungarian winger Tarmo Kink.
Centre-back David Wheater sat out training again yesterday with a knee problem and Matthew Bates has returned to the UK following the birth of his son. But Julio Arca and Barry Robson who missed the draw with Athlone are fit to return tonight.
The Middlesbrough squad will stage an open training session for the club's supporters at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday, August 3. The session (2pm to 4pm) is open to season card holders and Boro Pride members.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo