Michail Antonio: From Non-League to record Premier League goalscorer

On the 23rd of August 2021, Michail Antonio became West Ham United all-time Premier League goalscorer, bagging two goals to overtake Paolo Di Canio in the standings. But before Antonio was scoring braces in the top flight of English football, he’s had to come up a long way.

Where did it start for the West Ham forward?

Antonio was born in Wandsworth, London and began his footballing career at Tooting and Mitcham United, within their youth system. At one point he was invited for a trial at Tottenham Hotspur but his mother rejected the offer and he stayed on at Tooting and Mitcham.

He would make his debut for the first team aged 18, starting at full-back, but moving into the wing position as the game went on.

All English Premier League

Antonio made a handful of appearances for Tooting before interest from Championship club Reading arose. In 2008 he made the move to Reading but would be loaned straight back home.

This first loan spell started a series of loans that led Antonio to play for Cheltenham Town, Southampton and Colchester United.

Throughout his team gaining experience, he gained a name for being a utility player as he had the skills anywhere on the pitch.

In 2010, Antonio broke through into the Reading first team but it didn’t last all that long and he was shipped out to Sheffield Wednesday, first on loan and then permanently.

It was at Wednesday where Antonio began to show his forward prowess; he took over the right-wing role and would go on to score 18 goals in 84 appearances.

After strong displays, he was touted by then promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest where his form continued, and it wasn’t long before the Premier League came calling.

The Premier League calling

After a bidding war between several teams including West Bromwich Albion and Derby County, Antonio moved to West Ham for £7 million in 2015.

Antonio spent the first three seasons in East London being ferried up and down the right side of the pitch, including spending the majority of the 2016/17 season at right-back.

Despite playing here, there and everywhere, the former non-league footballer gained credit from the West Ham faithful with his constant work rate and infectious personality, including a Homer Simpson style celebration for a goal against Sunderland.

It was when now Manager, David Moyes, was in his first spell in East London that Antonio began to be utilised as a number nine. The use of his strength, size and quick feet, being key to him picking up the role quickly.

The now forward, became a phenomenon and has taken over the role ever since. In 2020/21, he picked up his best goal tally in his time in the Premier League with ten goals, joint with midfielder Tomas Soucek that year.

The player has become an integral part of this West Ham side and his story is one that shows just what we love about English football. Anything is possible.