DEFENDER Wayne Thomas has left Worcester City to take a job at a West Bromwich Albion soccer school in China.

The ex-Burnley, Southampton and Stoke City centre-half re-signed for City in October and played 12 times.

His exit comes at the end of a turbulent week but manager John Snape insisted the timing had been coincidental.

“We’re absolutely gutted to lose Tommo, especially after the events of the past week but this has been bubbling under for a while," said Snape.

“Tommo has been looking to get back into full-time football, which is undoubtedly where he belongs, and has kept us in the loop every step of the way.

“I think I speak for Lee (Hughes, City’s joint-manager until Tuesday) as much as myself when I say he has been a real ambassador and that dates back to his time at the club before as well.

“He has been a privilege to work with and conducted himself with great professionalism in and out of the dressing room. His presence will be sorely missed and he goes with our very best wishes.”