Goalkeeper Lewis Thomas has earned himself a contract extension at Forest Green Rovers after catching the eye at the start of the season.

The 22-year-old has extended his contract to the end of the 2020/21 season this week as reward for what has been a fine few months for the Welshman.

Having been handed the gloves to start the first game of the season against Oldham, he hasn’t looked back, making 12 appearances and keeping seven clean sheets, with five coming on the spin to set the platform for Forest Green making their way to the top of League Two.

The start to the season has even surprised the former Swansea academy player, who, after a good loan spell at Yate Town last season, was expecting something similar this campaign.

“I’m delighted,” he said. “Since I have come into the club, there has been a really positive vibe and the gaffer has been brilliant with me, every goalkeeper coach has been brilliant with me and the fans, especially, have really taken to me and I am really pleased that has happened.

“If you had told me at the start of the year that I would have got 12 games then I would have bitten your hand off. I was fully expecting to go out on loan, do well out there, but to get 11 games in the league and to keep six or seven clean sheets in that, I am delighted.

“The contract helps, knowing that your future is sorted for another year and it’s a piece of my mind settled now, knowing that I can go out there and perform and just keep doing well and doing the best I can for the club.”

Thomas signed on a free in the summer of 2018 on a two-year deal after his release by Swansea City.

He enjoyed loan spells at Yate Town last season, impressing the Evo-Stick Division One South side, as well as appearing in the Central League for Rovers.

His first league start came on the opening day of this campaign, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Oldham Athletic and head coach Mark Cooper has praised the young stopper for his attitude to training as a key part of him getting his opportunity this season.

Cooper said: “Lewis has shown he can cope at first team level and has got himself a new deal which is great for him and good for us, we know we can trust him and hopefully he has got a long future ahead of him.

“It just goes to show, if you apply yourself properly off the pitch and on the training ground, you’ll always have the opportunity to play and prove yourself.”