Since the story broke in late June that ‘Thommo' was in the market for a free-scoring midfield player, the name of Ian Ross was rife amidst speculation as to the identity of Thompson's not-so mystery target.
And today, in tapping into his wealth of contacts, Thompson has completed a loan-swoop for 20-year old Sheffield United midfielder Ian Ross, with the player agreeing to join the Magpies until January 2007.
With former Magpies manager Neil Warnock keen on building an experienced for his sides return to the top-flight, Ross has been allowed to leave Bramall Lane in order to gain some invaluable first team experience.
The move sees Ross – a player scouted by Thompson during the Notts manager's time commenting for BBC Radio Lincolnshire – join his third League Two club of his short career, with the Magpies following Boston United and, later, Bury in taking advantage of Ross' willingness to find regular first team football.
"I had a few clubs interested in me, but I had a good feeling about Notts," said Ross, a man clearly of very few words, when speaking to the club's Official site earlier today.
"I liked what the Manager had to say and Neil Warnock fancied me coming here as well.”
After being handed the number 24 jersey for the coming season, Ross was quickly assured of his long-term importance to his parent club, with Warnock describing the loan move as ‘a great opportunity' for the young midfielder.
Ross - who previously won the League Two player of the month award when on-loan with the Pilgrims last season - becomes Thompson's 14th signing as manager and is likely to feature in Wednesday night's friendly at Arnold Town.
Meanwhile, in a day that has seen a few throwback-links to Warnock's time here, former ‘keeper Steve Cherry – a man signed by Warnock for a measly £70,000 back in the late eighties – has today agreed to the join the club's coaching staff on a part-time basis where he will coach the senior squad's two senior goalkeepers.
For more news from the club throughout the summer, be sure to check back to NCM.