Ex-Arsenal starlet joins new club just weeks after being handed four-year prison sentence

Jay Emmanuel Thomas was handed the four-year jail sentence in June after being charged last year in connection with an attempt to bring £60,000 of cannabis into the United Kingdom - as per talkSPORT. The 34-year-old - who, in May, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the smuggling at Stansted Airport - was released on parole last week after serving 10 months of his four-year sentence, and now he has joined National League South Side AFC Totton.

The former Bristol City man, who began his career at Arsenal, had his contract terminated at Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton following his arrest in 2024. The ex-England Under-19 international will now try and get his career back on track after a difficult year.

Emmanuel-Thomas, who also had spells at Ipswich Town, Queens Park Rangers, and Aberdeen, made his debut for AFC Totton in a pre-season friendly against Weymouth this week. To date, he has scored 78 goals in 384 appearances across his career.

Emmanuel-Thomas has been handed the No.14 shirt for AFC Totton.

Following his arrival, the club wrote on X: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to the club. Jay joins us with a wealth of experience in the Championship and we’re sure his goals will lead to a successful season here on the South Coast!"