Nathan Michael Thompson (born 9 November 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Career Swindon Town Thompson was born in Chester, Cheshire. He began his career with Swindon Town, moving from the youth set-up to become a professional in April 2009. Even before he signed the two-year deal he had reportedly received interest from Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Newcastle United. He made his debut on 5 October 2010, as he replaced Scott Cuthbert in a Football League Trophy win over Torquay United. He made his league debut on 2 November 2010, when he played the full ninety minutes of a 3–0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic, and made two further first team appearances for Swindon in the rest of the 2010–11 season. He agreed a new 12-month contract with the club in summer 2011, but made just 7 first-team appearances under manager Paolo Di Canio over the following season.
He was offered a new contract with the club in May 2012. On 20 April 2013, Thompson was awarded the 2012/2013 Swindon Advertiser 'Player of the Year' after winning by more than 60 per cent of the fans' votes and Thompson won again in 2013/2014. On 30 May 2013, it was announced that both Nathan Thompson and his brother Louis had agreed new two-year contracts with Swindon.
Thompson was made club captain at Swindon Town in summer 2014.
On 9 October 2014, it was announced that Thompson had signed a new contract with Swindon, valid until summer 2017.
Portsmouth On 22 June 2017, Thompson signed for newly promoted League One club Portsmouth on a two-year contract on a free transfer, having rejected the offer of a new contract at Swindon. He scored his first goal for Portsmouth against Sunderland in the 2019 EFL Trophy Final in which Portsmouth won on penalties. Thompson left after his contract expired in search for Championship football.
Peterborough United On 16 August 2019, he signed for Peterborough United on a two-year deal. In May 2021, he signed a further two-year contract.
At the end of the 2022–23 season, Thompson was announced to be departing the club upon the expiration of his contract.
Stevenage On 8 June 2023, Thompson signed for newly promoted League One club Stevenage. Later in the month, he was joined at the club by his brother.
Milton Keynes Dons On 24 January 2025, Thompson signed for EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on 25 January 2025 in a goalless draw with rivals AFC Wimbledon, however suffered a serious knee injury the following game against Harrogate Town which kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
He departed the club by mutual consent on 30 January 2026, with head coach Paul Warne suggesting Thompson was close to retiring as a professional. Despite this, he made five appearances during the 2025–26 season and contributed to the club achieving a second-placed finish and promotion, Thompson's third and final promotion of his career.
Personal life His younger brother, Louis, is also a footballer. Nathan is studying for an MSc in Sports Directorship with VSI in Manchester.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClub SeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSwindon Town2010–11League One30000010402011–12League Two50100010702012–13League One2601020002902013–14League One4110020104412014–15League One3501020504302015–16League One2310010002412016–17League One342101000362Total16744080801874Portsmouth2017–18League One3601000304002018–19League One310200051381Total670300081781Peterborough United2019–20League One1503000101902020–21League One3921010204322021–22Championship2712000—2912022–23League One341201030401Total11548020601314Stevenage2023–24League One2601120203112024–25League One150101030200Total410213050511Milton Keynes Dons2024–25League Two20———202025–26League Two5010102090Total70101020110Career total397818114029145810
Honours Swindon Town EFL League Two: 2011–12
Portsmouth EFL Trophy: 2018–19
Peterborough United EFL League One runner-up: 2020–21
Milton Keynes Dons EFL League Two runner-up: 2025–26
Individual Swindon Town Player of the Season: 2012–13, 2013–14
References
External links Profile at the Portsmouth F.C. website