Wales Under-21 international Tom Sparrow joined the Potters aged 14 from Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sparrow quickly rose through the ranks at Stoke City as he was promoted to the club’s Under-18s side at just 16. The Welshman would then be promoted to the Under-21s set-up just 12 months later, steadily impressing as both a midfielder and a right back.

The former Wolves midfielder went on to gains his first taste of men’s football in October 2021 when he made his debut for Telford United during a 2-0 win over Farsley Celtic after signing on a month-long loan.

Upon his return, Sparrow would earn a place in the squad for the first team’s 3-1 win over West Bromwich at The Hawthorns in April 2022. A few weeks later, on the final day of the 2021/22 season, he was handed his professional debut and played the full 90 minutes as the Potters drew 1-1 with Coventry City at the bet365 Stadium.

Sparrow would then start the third and fourth games of the following campaign before joining Hamilton Academical on loan in January 2023 for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.