A West Ham United academy graduate and former England youth international has reflected on his eventful journey from East London to Eastern Europe, with an appearance in Green Street thrown into the mix!
Matthias Fanimo was one of England's brightest young stars after captaining the Three Lions' under-16 side to glory in the 2009 Victory Shield. He played in a team that featured Jordan Pickford and Raheem Sterling, who have both gone on to become established stars in Gareth Southgate's senior squad.
But things worked out a little differently for Fanimo. Let's go back to 2005 when a young Matthias was asked to feature in the iconic "Green Street" film, which profiles an American college student that becomes embroiled in the world of football hooliganism, starring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam.
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"They were filming Green Street at West Ham and there were a couple of scenes that needed kids," he explains in an interview with the Mirror.
"They came into the academy and just literally grabbed a few of us. We filmed a training session, had a load of fun with it and it was really good.
"It was a great experience as a kid, meeting Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam and being part of that."
Despite being on the books of West Ham and making his senior debut at the age of 18 in a League Cup tie, injuries took hold and Fanimo was forced to venture into non-league football after being released by the Hammers in 2015.
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After spells with Bishop's Stortford, Eastleigh, Margate and Hornchurch, the 27-year-old spoke in more detail about his fascinating journey which took him to Slovenian second-tier side, Drava Ptuj.
He took Slovenian football by storm and scored 19 goals in 29 games for the club, before earning a move a move to Bosnian Premier League side, Mladost Doboj Kakanj.
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Another impressive campaign followed there, and he now plies his trade for FK Sarajevo, where he gained a Bosnian Premier League title winners' medal.
"I can say now that I don't regret making the move, it was probably one of the best things I did to kick-start my career again," he added.
"I hit double figures last season which was a personal target I'd set myself, I was glad I did that, and I'll be aiming for the same this year."
So, if you're ever at a pub quiz and get asked the question, "Which current FK Sarajevo player featured in Green Street?", you know now the answer!
Topics: England, Jordan Pickford, West Ham United, Raheem Sterling
