TEEN football star Luke Thomas has hailed his Championship football debut with Derby County as “unbelievable”.

The Soudley-raised former Forest High School pupil came on as sub in the 2-0 Rams win over Queens Park Rangers at Pride Park.

And the 18-year-old said: “I’m over the moon. I was just buzzing and wanted to get on the pitch as soon as possible, my heart was racing.

“It was something I’ve dreamed of since joining Derby. It’s unbelievable to make my debut. A lot of thanks have to go to the coaching staff and the gaffer for believing in me and putting me in the pitch,” he told the club’s video channel.

“I was really nervous, but after I got out there my heart was just pumping to be there.

“The whole squad all put their arm round me and said congratulations and what an achievement it is to play for the first team.

“This club’s great to be at especially with the gaffer we’ve got now, it’s really promising for all youngsters here.

“The next step is if I get a chance to impress the gaffer and get a few more minutes with the first team.”

Winger Luke, who made 10 first team appearances for League Two outfit Cheltenham Town before being snapped up by the Rams, comes from a footballing family, with older brother Keiran captaining Gloucester City having previously been Cinderford Town’s skipper.

Indeed, the duo played against each other in a pre-season friendly in July, with Luke scoring twice in a 3-1 win for County’s U23s, and Keiran firing in from the spot, watched by proud parents Sally and Martin.

The same day, middle brother Liam, 19, was also on target in a 1-1 draw for Harrow Hill with Woolaston.

Luke was on the radar of several big clubs, including Premiership Southampton, before signing for Derby in January 2016, and even landed a trial with Portuguese giants Benfica while on a summer training camp with Cheltenham.