The grandson of NBA star Art Spector, the first player to be signed by the Boston Celtics, Jonathan Spector is a versatile member of the West Ham United squad.

Comfortable at either full-back or centre-back and more than useful in a defensive midfield role, Spector is a fully committed player who will never shirk a challenge.

Spector missed both the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing through injury, the former with a dislocated shoulder and the latter due to a torn lebrum in his hip that required surgery and a six-month stint on the sidelines. It has been far from all bad news for the American, however.

Born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights - also the hometown of former Fulham, Everton and United States striker Brian McBride - Spector began his career with local clubs Schwaben AC and Sockers FC before moving on to the US Soccer Federation's Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from which he graduated in 2003.

Possessing a German passport through his grandmother, Spector decided to pursue his dream of becoming a professional in Europe, joining Manchester United in the summer of 2003. After spending a full season learning his trade at Old Trafford, he would make his debut as a late substitute in the 2004 Community Shield against Arsenal at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Spector would go on to make eight first-team appearances for the Red Devils over the next two seasons, making his full international debut in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in Columbus, Ohio, in November 2004. However, a lack of first-team opportunities led the young defender to move to Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan for the 2005/06 season.

At The Valley, Spector would make 24 first-team appearances under Alan Curbishley, who would later join him at the Boleyn Ground.

It would be Alan Pardew who brought 'Specs' to east London, however, spending around £500,000 to sign the American in June 2006. Despite missing the opening weeks of the season with the dislocated shoulder that kept him out of the World Cup, Spector became a regular member of the Hammers' matchday squad, making 28 appearances in all competitions as West Ham escaped relegation.

The summer of 2007 gave Spector one of the fondest memories of his career as he helped his country to CONCACAF Gold Cup success in his home city of Chicago. Even then, the final at Soldier Field was marred by a head injury he suffered in an accidental clash with Mexico's Andres Guardado.

In 2007/08, Spector was again heavily involved as Curbishley led West Ham to a tenth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League, making a further 28 appearances. However, his dream of a first goal in English football was shattered when his strike in the 5-0 victory at Derby County was later altered to an own-goal by fellow American Eddie Lewis.

After missing the Olympic Games with a serious hip injury, Spector returned to action as captain in a friendly against an MLS Select team at Hornchurch FC in December 2008 before going on to make nine first-team appearances for Gianfranco Zola's side. He overcame a serious concussion against Sunderland in April 2008 to finish the season with a full 90 minutes at right-back in the 2-1 win against Middlesbrough.