Three separate bouts of surgery failed to provide a permanent solution as, despite a muscle strengthening programme directed by Bayern Munich doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, the injuries persisted during his comebacks. Wigan, Portsmouth & Bolton Wanderers Blackburn allowed Thompson to leave on a free transfer to Wigan Athletic on 19 January 2006 on a six month deal. His form was excellent for Wigan, scoring two goals and recording five assists in 10 games, helping them to their highest ever Premier League finish. He left Wigan to join Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth and made 14 appearances in a successful start, before joining Bolton Wanderers and Sam Allardyce, who were in third place in the Premier League at the time. Bolton signed him just two hours before the transfer window shut on 31 January 2007 on a short-term deal. Thompson made his debut for Bolton as a substitute in the 2–1 victory against Fulham on 11 February, and subsequently made his first start for the club against his former employer Wigan Athletic on 7 April. He played six more matches for the rest of the 2006–07 season, before rejecting a pay as you play deal at Bolton. In November 2007, Thompson started a trial with Championship club Sheffield United but failed to win a deal and, on 28 November 2007, announced his retirement at the age of 30 as a result of the chronic knee problem. Media Thompson worked for BBC Radio Merseyside as a football pundit. He is now a regular on the Football Daily podcast produced by BBC Radio 5 Live. Career statistics Source: References External links BBC profile 1977 births Living people English footballers Association football midfielders Liverpool F.C. players Swindon Town F.C. players Coventry City F.C. players Blackburn Rovers F.C. players Wigan Athletic F.C. players Portsmouth F.C. players Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players England under-21 international footballers