Football: Ryan Thomas re-signs with PEC Zwolle

Ryan Thomas in action for PEC Zwolle. Photo / Getty

All Whites midfielder Ryan Thomas has signed a new contract at PEC Zwolle - but hasn't ruled out a move to another club before the end of this European summer.

The 22-year-old has inked a deal that will keep him at the Dutch outfit until the end of the 2018-2019 season, after first arriving in Holland in 2013.

But don't be surprised if he doesn't complete that tenure.

Thomas, who was arguably New Zealand's best performer at the recent Confederations Cup, has been tracked by several bigger clubs and a shift seems inevitable, possibly even during this current transfer window.

Thomas is keeping an open mind. The former Waikato FC player and Ole Academy product has a level headed approach, realising that regular first team football and continuous, steady improvement are the most important factor at the moment.

"I love playing for PEC, I love the club...the people, the players," Thomas told local radio station RTV Oost.

"I feel I can definitely keep getting better, grow and take on a bigger role with this team."

But Thomas also refused to discount the possibility of a move.

"If a club comes in now and it is right for both parties then we can still talk," said Thomas. "With football you never know. If the right amount of money comes in and it is the right opportunity for PEC, the other club and also for me then you can't turn that down. But I can still grow here. I've still got a lot to learn, a lot to prove and this season hopefully I will do that."

After three seasons punching well above their weight, with league finishes of 11th, 6th and 8th and two Dutch Cup final appearances, Zwolle struggled last season, flirting dangerously with relegation.

"The end of last season was difficult [and] we all felt it," said Thomas. "It wasn't nice to be involved in and we definitely don't want that to happen again."

Thomas has been impressive in Zwolle's pre-season fixtures, and has also be made vice captain, taking the armband in a recent friendly.

"It's nice to take that role and be that leader," said Thomas. "It's something I need to embrace and take it from there. I'm taken the form from the Confederations Cup to here and I want to keep pushing that on. I want to be that bigger player, that plays with my chest up and doesn't hide away from most of the big plays."