Andy Thomson leaves Newcastle Eagles

Power forward Andy Thomson has left Newcastle Eagles to sign for French club La Rochelle.

Thomson, 28, helped the Eagles to a clean sweep of trophies last season, and has won eight of the last nine BBL titles, having enjoyed a successful spell at Mersey Tigers prior to moving to the north east.

Eagles coach Fab Flournoy had been keen to keep Thomson, who had also been linked with a move to the new Manchester Giants franchise.

The Manchester-born man told the MEN: It’s an exciting move. It is good to get back into Europe and should be a good experience. They have come up from the division below and want to go up again.”

Thomson averaged 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in the BBL regular season, and will now test himself in the third tier in France with the ambitious La Rochelle outfit.