MATT TAYLOR

Born: 27 November 1981, Oxford, England
Former clubs: Luton Town, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers

Speedy and direct left-sided midfielder blessed with outstanding delivery and an eye for scoring truly spectacular goals, Matt Taylor joined West Ham United from Bolton Wanderers in July 2011.

A star as a youngster with Luton Town, Portsmouth and the England Under-21 side, Taylor has been a regular feature on Match of the Day for his penchant for smashing the ball into the net from all over the pitch.

Quick, elusive and always involved in the game, the Oxford-born wideman also featured in European competition during his time with Bolton Wanderers.

2011/12

Joined West Ham United for an undisclosed fee on 23 July 2011...Appeared in pre-season fixtures against Dagenham & Redbridge and Real Zaragoza, scoring his first goal in a 2-0 win over the Spanish side...Made his West Ham United debut in a 1-0 home npower Championship defeat by Cardiff City on 7 August 2011...Scored his first competitive West Ham United goal in a 4-3 npower Championship win against Portsmouth on 10 September 2011...Suffered a calf injury in the 1-0 npower Championship defeat at Southampton on 18 October 2011...Returned to action in the 2-0 npower Championship win at Middlesbrough on 29 November 2011...Suffered a second calf injury in the 2-1 home npower Championship defeat by Burnley on 3 December 2011...Returned to action in the 5-1 npower Championship defeat at Ipswich Town on 31 January 2012...Totalled 28 npower Championship appearances, 26 of them starts, and one goal...Started both npower Championship Play-Off semi-final ties with Cardiff City at left-back.

International career

Capped three times by England at Under-21 level.

Before West Ham United

Came through the ranks at Luton Town, making his league debut in a goalless Division Two draw at Notts County on 7 August 1999...Made 146 appearances for Luton Town over four seasons, scoring 17 goals...Voted Luton Town Young Player of the Year for 1999/00...Joined Portsmouth for £400,000 in June 2002...Made 203 appearances for Portsmouth in all competitions, scoring 29 goals...Won promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions with Portsmouth in 2002/03...Joined Bolton Wanderers in January 2008 for an undisclosed fee...Played a full 90 minutes in three UEFA Cup ties in early 2008, appearing for Bolton Wanderers against Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon...Scored the 50th goal of his career in a 3-1 Premier League victory at West Ham United on 5 October 2008.

Any other business

None.