Anton Ferdinand

Anton Julian Ferdinand (born February 18, 1985 in Peckham, London) is an England football player, currently playing for West Ham United F.C.. He plays as a central Defender (football).

Background

Born into a footballing family (both his brother Rio Ferdinand and cousin Les Ferdinand are successful players), Anton Ferdinand showed considerable talent from an early age. Like his brother, he preferred to play in defence. His ability in this position led to him being signed to West Ham United's famed academy. In particular, it was his technical ability and confidence with the ball at his feet that impressed most, and predictions of an England national football team defence composed of the Ferdinand brothers have been made.

Club career

West Ham United F.C.

Ferdinand joined West Ham as a trainee in December 2002 and was handed his full debut in August 2003 when he started the 2-1 victory at Preston North End F.C. on the 2003-04 in English football's opening day.

Ferdinand won the FA Premier League Player of the Month award in January 2006. In the 2006 FA Cup Final against Liverpool F.C. in Cardiff, Ferdinand fell to his knees in tears after missing the decisive penalty in the shoot out.

In October 2006 Ferdinand was arrested on assault charges following a fracas outside a nightclub in Ilford. He was charged in November 2006 and is set to appear before magistrates

In March 2007 it was revealed that Ferdinand had been fined two weeks wages (estimated at £45,000) for lying about his whereabouts. Ferdinand told the club he need to go to the Isle of Wight to visit his grandmother when in fact, he went to South Carolina to celebrate his 22nd birthday. West Ham lost the following game to relegation rivals Charlton Athletic 0-4.

Ferdinand started that 07/08 season in good form, producing a tight central defense partnership with Mathew Upson

International career

Ferdinand was a regular selection for England national under-21 football team, having made his début in a 3-1 win over Ukraine national under-21 football team at the Riverside Stadium on August 17 2004.

In 2006, he revealed that he was offered a place on standby for England's senior World Cup squad but refused after he was carrying an injury from the epic cup final a week before.

Ferdinand was selected to be part of the England squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in the Netherlands, and given the number 5 shirt. Going into the tournament whilst recovering from an injury, he made only one appearance, as substitute, in the semi-final against the hosts. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, and in the penalty shootout which followed, he scored one and missed one as the Netherlands national under-21 football team won 13-12. This was his final U21s appearance.