Dean, Tom

Birth Date

30th November 2005

Birthplace

Exeter, Devon

Biographical Text

Tom Dean, younger brother of Will, became an Exeter City scholar/trainee in 2022 and made his first-team debut in the EFL Trophy during the 2023/24 season before signing a professional contract in May 2024.

Tom played for the Under-18s as an under-16 player in the EFL Youth Alliance in 2021/22 when he also appeared in the team that lost to Bideford on penalties in the final of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl in May 2022. Becoming a scholar/trainee in 2022 he featured in the club's FA Youth Cup squad in 2022/23 and, heading into his second year, played in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2023/24 season. He made his first-team debut as a second-half substitute against Arsenal under-21 in the EFL Trophy in October 2023 and subsequently captained City in both of the club's FA Youth Cup games during the 2023/24 campaign prior to having a loan spell with Tavistock from December 2023.

Establishing a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder, Tom became a full professional with City in May 2024. Having then featured during the club's pre-season games in July 2024, Tom joined Plymouth Parkway on loan on the eve of the 2024/25 campaign whilst also featuring for City's under-21s in the Premier League Cup.

Having been a regular for Parkway, Tom returned to St James' Park in April 2025 and promptly signed a new contract through to the summer of 2026 (with an option for another year) ahead of making his league debut as a 70th minute substitute at Crawley Town on Easter Monday 2025. This was followed five days later by his first league start against Huddersfield Town on the day that older brother Will was part of the Truro City side that won National League South.