I won the World Cup with Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, now I work a 9-5 office job and play in the ninth tier

August 4, 2025

in Arsenal

Reading Time: 8 mins read

Curtis Anderson’s profession has taken a unique trajectory from his former England teammates.

The goalkeeper starred alongside Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho because the Younger Lions gained the Below-17 World Cup in 2017.

Anderson (proper) gained the Below-17 World Cup alongside Foden in 2017Credit score: Getty

The goalkeeper now plays in the ninth tier alongside a career in financial advisory — The goalkeeper now performs within the ninth tier alongside a profession in monetary advisoryCredit score: instagram / @curtando_

Anderson saved and scored a penalty throughout their shootout victory over Japan within the final 16.

It was one in every of six appearances he made on the match, together with within the closing towards Spain as England triumphed 5-2.

Their facet that day featured future senior internationals, Marc Guehi, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Foden additionally scored twice, while Sancho had been recalled by Borussia Dortmund to characteristic for his or her first group.

As for Anderson, he was by no means capped past under-19 stage and now balances an workplace job with enjoying within the ninth tier.

Watching on as a number of of his former team-mates appeared on the 2022 World Cup proved notably tough for Anderson.

Talking to The Instances in 2023, he defined: “I actually struggled as a result of I used to be seeing so lots of my outdated team-mates and other people I had spent lots of time with.

“After which there’s me, sat at dwelling watching on TV, considering, ‘How has this ended up occurring?’”

Having progressed by way of Manchester Metropolis’s academy alongside Foden, he departed the membership in 2019.

After seeing a transfer to Blackburn fall by way of, Anderson headed to the USA to hitch Charlotte Independence.

Anderson played in six of England's seven matches at the tournament eight years ago — Anderson performed in six of England’s seven matches on the match eight years in the pastCredit score: Getty

The 24-year-old left City two years later before spells in the USA and non-league — The 24-year-old left Metropolis two years later earlier than spells within the USA and non-leagueCredit score: Getty

What occurred to Curtis Anderson?

Recalling the choice, which he made aged simply 18, he stated: “Me being a child and considering I knew the whole lot, I used to be like, no, I must go and play.

“Blackburn have been clearly there — why not prepare, keep incomes this cash and go to Blackburn on the finish of the season? No person informed me to do this.”

Nevertheless, he was again in England only a 12 months later as he signed for then-Championship facet Wycombe.

Anderson remained with the Chairboys for 3 years with out making a first-team look.

It was after leaving the membership in 2022 and a short spell at non-league Lancaster Metropolis that he selected a profession change.

The 24-year-old has since labored for monetary recommendation agency Markland Hill Wealth in Lancaster.

Life after Premier League soccer

Having earned a diploma in monetary planning, he now holds the place of head of sports activities monetary planning.

Explaining his resolution to work in finance, Anderson added: “My curiosity in finance got here from being at Metropolis, signing a professional [contract] after which two years later having no cash left.

“After I look again, I’m wondering what I spent my cash on. I don’t actually know.

“I acquired an residence, a automotive, and purchased a Rolex considering that’s the worst factor I may have purchased — and it’s been the very best factor I purchased.

“That’s the one factor I may promote now for greater than I purchased it for.”

Anderson would go on to hitch Bootle through the 2022/23 season earlier than leaving the membership on the finish of the marketing campaign.