Source: FOOTYMAD
Timeline: Matthew Upson
A look at the life and times of the Potters latest recruit 18th April 1979: Born Eye, Suffolk 1994: Leaves Ipswich youth set up to join Luton Town April 1996: Signs first professional contract at Luton August 1996: Makes professional debut as a late sub. Thiis was his only appearance for Luton May 1997: Joins Arsenal for £2m 1999: Suffers anterior cruciate ligament injury, sidelining him for 13 months. 2000: Plays once during loan spell at Nottingham Forest 2001: Plays seven times during loan spell at Crystal Palace 2001/2: Plays 22 times for Arsenal February 2002: Suffers broken leg May 2002: Receives league winners medal, courtesy of his 14 league appearances, but misses out on triumphant FA Cup final due to broken leg August 2002: Wins Community Shield September-November 2002: Plays 14 times for Reading during 3 month loan spell September 2002: Scores his first professional goal whilst on loan at Reading January 2003: Joins Birmingham for £1m, rising to £3m on appearances. Upson played a total of 57 times for Arsenal during his four years at the club May 2003: Makes England debut v South Africa April 2006: Suffered a serious leg injury in the warm up for Birmingham's derby with Villa. May 2006: Forced to sit and watch as Birmingham suffer a nightmare run in and get relegated to the Championship December 2006: Makes comeback in 3-0 win at Plymouth January 2007: After two rejected bids West Ham sign Upson for a fee of £6m, rising to £7.5m on appearances. February 2007: Lasts less than half an hour in West Ham debut March 2007: Makes comeback but limps off after just 11 minutes August 2007: Plays full 90 minutes for West Ham for the first time December 2007: Scores first West Ham goal as Hammers beat Manchester United 1-0 February 2008: Recalled to the England squad after an absence of four years November 2008: Scores first international goal in 2-1 win against Germany August 2009: Awarded captaincy after departure of Lucas Neill May 2010: Named in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad June 2010: Makes World Cup debut in group win over Slovenia. Scores England's goal in 4-1 2nd round defeat to Germany May 2011: Relegated to the Championship with West Ham June 2011: Leaves West Ham after contract expires August 2011: Signs two year deal with Stoke
