The Ferdinand brothers speak on the importance of West Ham’s academy and the unique environment it provides.

West Ham’s youth set up is dubbed “The Academy of Football”, and for good reason. The club have produced some of England’s greatest ever players From Bobby Moore, to Frank Lampard, to Declan Rice; the club has consistently provided the national team with high quality individuals.

However, one of the more unique products are brothers Anton and Rio, both quality Premier League players in their day (although the latter is admittedly on a different level).

Rio believes the Iron’s focus on youth talent is a real selling point for young players, and it’s one of the reasons they’ve had so many great players come through the ranks.

“There are not many clubs who love young players coming through,” he told NBC Sports. “There are a lot of clubs who have it, but I felt something different at West Ham when I came through.

“Everyone [associated with the club] felt like they were playing through you, and they make you feel like that and it’s a great thing as a young player to go out there and you feel really supported and you take on that responsibility not being pressured. It’s a great thing at West Ham.”

Meanwhile brother Anton, who still does a lot of work with the club and the youth set up, spoke on the brilliant opportunity the young stars have in preseason this year. “It’s really important to the Club and on this tour we have lots of young players who are here,” Anton explained to NBC Sports. “I made my way into the team in pre-season and you get opportunities in pre-season but when you get them you have to take them with both hands.”

“One thing our fans want to see is young players in our team and when they do get in the team they give you a chance, an opportunity and time.”

“West Ham is built on the Academy of Football and we came through it.”