Natasha Thomas excited for UEFA Women’s Champions League bow with Wrexham

Natasha Thomas says she is ready to make her mark at Wrexham as the club prepares for a historic UEFA Women’s Champions League debut.

The forward will be part of the Red Dragons’ first-ever European campaign when they face FC Pyunik of Armenia in the first qualifying round semi-final at The Racecourse on Wednesday night (KO 19:00).

The fixture represents another landmark moment for a Wrexham side that enjoyed the most successful season in the club’s history. After lifting the Adran Trophy in February, the Red Dragons went on to claim their first-ever Genero Adran Premier title, sealing the championship with victory over four-time winners Cardiff City at the Racecourse.

Thomas arrived at Wrexham this summer after more than a decade with Ipswich Town, departing as the club’s record appearance-holder and all-time leading goalscorer after 260 appearances and 175 goals.

The Jamaican international admits her first few weeks in north Wales have been a whirlwind, but says Wrexham’s early European preparations have helped her settle quickly into her new surroundings.

“It’s been amazing, to be honest,” Thomas said. “My first interactions were going to Cork, so there was a lot going on. But at the same time, I think it was probably the best thing for me to get used to all the girls, how they work, and understand what they want from me as well.”

Wrexham have enjoyed an earlier-than-usual pre-season as part of their preparations for European football, including a trip to Cork, while head coach Jenny Sugarman has strengthened her squad with five summer additions.

Among those arrivals is Mikayla Cook, a statement signing from Cardiff City who has featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in each of the last three seasons, as well as new goalkeeper Lucy Farrell who earned her first Cymru senior call-up in April.

For Thomas, the ambition shown by Sugarman and the club was a major factor in her decision to move to Wales.

“Honestly, she is one of the big reasons why I came over to Wrexham and Wales,” Thomas said of Sugarman. “Obviously, my agent did say that I had a few offers, but for me it was Jenny and Mark [Swales, Director of Women’s Football] himself.

“I came down just to have a little look around the Racecourse, the Rock, and the way they spoke really pushed me to come here. I think it was the goals that they have here, the Welsh way, and that’s definitely something I wanted to come and have the opportunity to be part of.”

Thomas’ rise through the English game has been impressive. Having started out in the fourth tier, she played a key role in Ipswich Town’s climb to WSL 2, where she made 21 appearances and scored twice during the 2024/25 campaign.

Her standout club form also earned recognition on the international stage. In October 2024, Thomas received her maiden call-up to the Jamaica national team before making her senior debut against France during her first training camp with the Reggae Girlz.

And she believes she can offer more than just an attacking threat as Wrexham take on the challenge of European football.

“Goals,” she joked when asked what she adds to the Red Dragons’ side. “But yeah, no, for me it’s definitely goals. Just helping and supporting other players, younger players around me who maybe haven’t had as many experiences as me.

“But actually, coming in, a lot of them have had a lot of experiences themselves, and I think that’s what’s going to build the momentum and cohesion in the squad.”

Wednesday’s opponents FC Pyunik were crowned champions of Armenia for the third consecutive season in 2025/26, after winning all 18 of their league matches while scoring 107 goals and conceding just eight. 

But Thomas admits the squad has prepared with the same focus and standards they showed throughout their title-winning campaign.

“The preparation has been really good,” she said. “Everyone’s been really focused. Everyone’s really excited, but also very focused at the same time. For me personally, it’s just one game at a time. We’ve all been given the tools and resources to go out there tomorrow and put on a performance.

“Of course, it’s going to be a tough one. They’re the best around, and we’re the best in the Welsh league, so we’ve just got to fight on the day and make sure we put our best foot forward.”

The qualifying round will also give Thomas the opportunity to experience European football at the STōK Cae Ras, a ground she believes can provide a special atmosphere.

“For me, that is a big thing as well,” she said. “Even when I went there and just had a little look around, you could just feel all the tension and everything building up. I’m really, really looking forward to that.”

Despite the scale of the challenge ahead, Thomas believes Wrexham’s Champions League qualification can provide confidence for both the team and Welsh football as a whole.

“After the season last year, it should give the team massive confidence,” she added. “I think not only just for us, but for Welsh football overall too. For us, it’s just taking each step at a time. But we also know we can win these games.

“As long as we put our best foot forward, everyone works together, puts everything on the pitch, and leaves nothing off the pitch, then I think for us it’s just building that momentum, building that confidence, and going into the next game.”