Tom Lawrence: The ex-Manchester United youngster who was handed his Premier League debut by compatriot and Old Trafford icon Ryan Giggs

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Tom Lawrence gave Wales every opportunity to progress through to their first World Cup finals since 1958 with a stunning strike against Georgia on Friday night.

The 23-year-old found himself in space outside the box before rifling the ball beyond the Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Loria to give Chris Coleman's side a crucial win in Tbilisi.

But just who is the Welsh forward? Sportsmail takes a look. 

Tom Lawrence kept Wales' qualification hopes alive with a stunning strike to beat Georgia

Where is Tom Lawrence from?

Lawrence hails from Wrexham in north Wales but grew up in Penyfford just north of the city.

The Welshman looked destined to follow the same path as former Wales midfielder Barry Horne, who was also born in Wrexham and went on to play 127 times for Everton.

But at just eight years old, Lawrence left the Toffees to join Manchester United — the club, according to former Blues academy coach Tosh Farrell, he was 'a big fan' of.

Lawrence began at Everton but made the switch at just eight when Manchester United called

So what happened next?

The forward excelled through the United academy ranks. So much so, in fact, he started his first Under 18s game at the age of just 15 — scoring in the 3-1 win over Maltese outfit Hibernian.

The following season he became a regular in the Under 18s side and continued to look every bit the player the Red Devils' academy bosses had hoped.

He signed his first professional contract in July 2012, but found chances to impress in the reserves difficult — stuck behind the likes of Angelo Henriquez, Federico Macheda, Josh King and Will Keane.

As a result, then boss David Moyes farmed him out on loan to Carlisle.

Lawrence excelled in the youth ranks at Old Trafford but became frustrated in the reserves

What sort of player is he?

Part of the reason there was such a big buzz about Lawrence was, in fact, due to his playing style.

Lawrence is very much a player who wants to get on the ball, and revels with the ball at his feet.

He is not afraid to run at defenders and is not lacking in confidence — willing to shoot at will if in sight of goal. 

The Welshman scored a couple of stunners while on loan at Ipswich, one superb effort against QPR — not too dissimilar to the winner against Georgia on Friday — and an equally impressive long-range strike against Blackburn.

The forward, pictured while playing for Ipswich, is someone who likes to run at defenders

So what happened to his Manchester United career?

Lawrence returned to Old Trafford from loan at Yeovil on April 30, 2014 and just a week later, his childhood dream was realised.

The frontman was handed his full United debut by compatriot Ryan Giggs, who had taken the reins following Moyes' ill-fated tenure, in a 3-1 over Hull. Giggs later replaced him as a substitute.

It was, however, to be his only appearance for the club, joining Leicester on a four-year deal just four months later.

He returned to United in April 2014 and made first senior appearance for the club against Hull

However he was given his bow by then manager, compatriot and Old Trafford legend Ryan

He moved to Leicester in September 2014, but played just three times in the Premier League

And how has his career gone since?

Just three Premier League appearances for the Foxes, coupled with uninspiring loan spells at Blackburn and Cardiff, threatened to derail a promising career.

But his move to Ipswich saw Lawrence hit the headlines for all the right reasons. Eleven goals and as many assists in a stunning 36-game stint at Portman Road saw him bag a £7million move from Leicester to Championship outfit Derby.

And his first international goal in a crucial tie against Georgia means his stock is only rising — and Rams fans will hope it is a sign of things to come at Pride Park this term and beyond. 

He is yet to score in nine appearances for Derby following his £7m move from Leicester 

His stunning goal against Georgia will hopefully ignite his season for his new club