Matthew Upson

Matthew James Upson, (born 18 April 1979 in Hartismere, Suffolk), is an English people football (soccer) player who currently plays for West Ham United F.C.. He is a Defender (football) Centre back.

Club career

Luton Town

Upson joined Luton Town F.C. as a trainee in 1994. He signed professional forms in April 1996, making his sole appearance for the senior team against Rotherham Town F.C. in August 1996. and Crystal Palace F.C. in 2001

In 2001-02 in English football, his final full season at Arsenal however, Upson did make 22 appearances; these included 14 in the league, earning him a Premier League winners' medal, but a broken leg in February 2002 ruled him out for the rest of the season and Arsenal's FA Cup-winning run as they won the Double. After recovering from his broken leg, Upson joined Reading F.C. in September 2002 on a three month loan and with Arsenal's newly-established centre back pairing of Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré keeping him out of the side, he was bought by Birmingham City F.C. in January 2003. In total he played 56 times for Arsenal, never scoring.

Birmingham City

Birmingham City completed the signing of Upson from Arsenal for a fee of £1 million rising to £3 million depending on appearances in January 2003.

He suffered a leg injury whilst preparing for the local derby against Aston Villa F.C in April 2006 and subsequently missed the rest of the season. Following Birmingham City's relegation to Football League Championship, Upson was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Newcastle United F.C. or Reading F.C.. He was also linked with a £7 million move to Chelsea F.C., but instead stayed with the club while he worked on regaining his fitness. He returned to action in December in the Blues' 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle F.C., scoring the second of the three goals.

West Ham United

On 18 January 2007, West Ham United had a bid for Upson of £4million rejected, with a subsequent improved bid of £6million rejected on 23 January 2007. A £6million offer for Upson from West Ham was finally accepted by Birmingham City on 31 January 2007, with the potential to rise to £7.5million, depending on appearances. Upson agreed a four-and-a-half year contract. However, Upson suffered a calf injury less than 30 minutes into his West Ham United debut against Aston Villa F.C., which West Ham lost 0-1.. He then lasted just 11 minutes of his comeback game before coming off injured against Tottenham Hotspur in a 4-3 loss at Upton Park on 5 March 2007.

Upson completed his first full game for West Ham in the 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City on 11 August 2007. One week later he made his first appearance as West Ham captain in the 1-0 away win against former club Birmingham City.

International career

Upson has eleven caps for the England U21 team, scoring two goals. His performances for Birmingham City in the 2002/03 season led to him being selected for the England senior squad and he made his debut for England national football team against South Africa in May 2003. He has made seven appearances for England, all during his time at Birmingham City. His last appearance for England came in the away defeat to Spain in November 2004.