LOUIS Thompson is an example to his younger teammates according to his manager Mark Cooper.

The 19-year-old midfielder was the big deal for Town on transfer deadline day, signing a deal with Norwich and returning to Town on a loan-back deal until the end of the season. The sale brought in an immediate £600,000 though it is thought, with add-ons, that could rise to as high as £1.3 million.

Undoubtedly the deal is good for one for Swindon, as Thompson cost the club nothing and remains at the County Ground for the rest of the campaign. It could also be a sign of how the club wants model itself in the future. Cooper has been blooding young talent since his appointment, and recently talked about his admiration for Crewe’s famed production line.

His words on the sale of Thompson suggest he holds similar ambition for Town’s academy prospects, he said: “For Louis it just shows, what can happen. He’s come through the academy and he’s joined a big club in Norwich. The beauty for us is that we get him back for the rest of the season.

“It just goes to show our young players – the 15-year-olds, the 16-year-olds – what they can achieve, with, in Louis’ case, pure hard work, determination, coupled with ability. Without that determination and hard work the ability doesn’t work so he deserves everything he gets.”

Cooper thinks Thompson will go on to succeed with Norwich and revealed the thinking behind Norwich moving for the Wales youth international now.

“Norwich have thought ‘we need to act now before somebody else gets him and if that means we have to loan him back to Swindon then so be it’,” Cooper told BBC Wiltshire.

“They’ll have their midfielders for this season but they’ll certainly be looking for Louis for next season. It’s a good deal for us.

“I’m pleased he’s going to a big club next year but that we get to see the best of him this year.”