Thomas Lam

Thomas Anton Rudolph Lam (born 18 December 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or defensive midfielder for club PEC Zwolle.

Born in the Netherlands, he represents the Finland national team.

Lam, born and grew up in the Netherlands to a Finnish mother and a Dutch father, started his youth career at AFC before moving to AZ Alkmaar in 2005, where he progressed through the academy and started his senior career at AZ Alkmaar in 2011, where he signed his first professional contract.

Shortly after, Lam was given number twenty–eight shirt for the new season.

Though he made no appearances in the 2011–12 season, it was announced on 13 April 2012, Lam signed a contract with AZ, keeping him until 2016 and was named Finnish Tale's Promising Player of the Year.

In the 2012–13 season, Lam suffered a setback when he suffered a thigh problems at the start of the season.

It wasn't until on 16 September 2012 when Lam made his AZ debut, coming on as a substitute for Giliano Wijnaldum in the late substitute, in a 1–0 home win over Roda JC.

Having spent the most of the season, Lam, however, received a straight red card in the 31st minute, in a 2–1 win over Heracles Almelo on 31 March 2013 and served a two match suspension as a result.

Despite this, Lam went on to finish the season, making six appearances for the club.

Although he did not feature in the squad, the club won the KNVB Cup after beating PSV Eindhoven 2–1 to win the tournament.

In the 2013–14 season, Lam was demoted back to the reserve side following the newly arrival of Dick Advocaat.

Despite this, Lam scored his first AZ goal on 12 December 2013, in a Europa League against PAOK, in a 2–2 draw.

This turned out to be his only appearance for the club this season.

Lam went on to make six appearances in Eredivisie during his three years spell there.

He began his senior club career playing for AZ Alkmaar, before signing with PEC Zwolle at age 20 in 2014.

On 24 July 2014, it was announced that Lam had signed a contract with PEC Zwolle, signing a long-term contract.

After appearing as an unused substitute in a 4–1 win over Ajax in the Johan Cruyff Shield.

Lam made his PEC Zwolle debut on 16 August 2014, where he came on as substitute for Maikel van der Werff in the second half, in a 2–1 win over Dordrecht.

It wasn't until on 29 October 2014 when Lam scored his first hat–trick of his career, in a 6–1 win over Hardenberg in the third round of the KNVB Cup.

Lam then scored his first league goal of the season on 20 December 2014, in a 2–1 loss against Cambuur.

Lam scored once again in the quarter-final of the KNVB Cup, in a 3–2 win over Cambuur, followed up by scoring in a 2–0 win over FC Utrecht several days later.

Despite suffering from injury and suspension, as the 2014–15 season progressed, Lam went on to make thirty–four and scoring six times in all competitions.

Lam played 81 minutes in the final of the KNVB Cup, which saw them unsuccessfully defend the title, in a 2–0 loss against Groningen.

During Eredivisie seasons 2014–15 and 2015–16 he made a total of 64 appearances and scored 4 goals.

Lam made his international debut for Finland in June 2015, at the age of 21 and has since had over 20 caps, including appearing in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification and in Finland's UEFA Euro 2020 campaign in which Finland national team secured its first ever place in European Football Championship tournament's group stage.

In the 2015–16 season, Lam established himself in the first team regular in the centre–back position and scored his first goal of the season, in a 5–1 loss against Vitesse on 18 October 2015.

Lam then scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–1 loss against Groningen on 30 January 2016.

Despite missing one game, due to suspension, Lam finished his second season, making thirty–six appearances (33 league) and scoring two times in all competitions.

Despite interests of returning to his former club, AZ, Lam was transferred from Zwolle to Nottingham Forest on 8 July 2016, on a free transfer.

Upon joining the club, Lam was given the number twenty–eight shirt for the new season, the same number he wore at AZ Alkmaar.

In the opening game of the season, Lam scored on his Nottingham Forest debut in a 4–3 win over Burton Albion on 6 August 2016.

After missing out two matches, Lam scored his second goal for the club on his return from the squad, in a 4–3 win over Wigan Athletic on 20 August 2016.

After missing most of September, due to injury, Lam made return to the first team from injury, playing 45 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Bristol City on 1 October 2016.

Three weeks later, on 22 October 2016, Lam received a straight red card in the second half, in a 2–1 loss against Cardiff City.

After serving a one match suspension, he made his return from suspension, in a 1–1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on 5 November 2016.

However, towards the end of the season, Lam soon lost his first team place following the sacking of Philippe Montanier.

at the end of the 2016–17 season, Lam went on to make a total of 21 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.

However, ahead of the 2017–18 season, Lam was told by manager Mark Warburton that he was no longer part of his first team plan, which Lam described as "unfair and frustrating".

Because of this, he hinted that he could be leaving the club.

It was announced on 30 August 2017 that Lam signed on a season-long loan to Eredivisie side FC Twente.