Anton, who has signed for an intial three years with a view to extending that period, is now a "fully fledged footballer" according to his boss - and that means, despite his youth, he will be involved with the senior players rather than the youth team from now on.
Anton himself has already made the plea, on this website some time ago, to be judged on his own merits rather than as Ferdinand mark two, and that is a philosophy that has been enforced by the club and his own family.
It is not an unreasonable request, given that Rio happens to be the world's most expensive defender and that there is a history of brothers in the game who have achieved completely different levels of success.
One thinks, for example, of Glen Hoddle who achieved international fame, and his brother Carl, who didn't get much beyond playing for Barnet.
Whether it is nature or nurture remains to be seen, but Glenn says: "I hope, though it may be a vain hope, that Anton won't be compared with Rio.
"They are different individuals, and Anton is under enough pressure trying to make it as a professional without comparisons to Rio.
"I will protect him from that - and let him develop in his own time.
"He is embarking on his career now and we will give him every chance."
Although Anton has played in different positions as a trainee - like, dare one say it, his older brother - Glenn sees him establishing himself as a centre half as well.
"For me he is a centre back," says Glenn, "and it is a question of how quickly he learns, positionally, from here on in.
"We see him pushing on in the reserves, which is a good league and a high standard nowadays - but that does mean we will be taking him away from Tony Carr, who has done a terrific job with him.
"Playing in the reserves will extend him, and physically he is strong enough to play at that level. In training he will be coming into the first team group, and, I know, without that comparison to Rio, he is delighted to be following in his brother's footsteps.
"There is a lot of raw material to be working with, and I am looking forward to being able to do so."