Summary
Success in youth tournaments doesn't guarantee a successful senior career in football.
One England U17 World Cup winner, transitioned into a new career after failing in football.
The player in question played six games in the tournament and started in the final.
When you are part of a successful youth team, more eyes inevitably turn to your development to see whether you’ll become one of football’s next big stars. As is often the case in the game, the chances of that happening are slim. But if you’ve already won an international tournament with your country before reaching senior level, then your odds are arguably better than most.
Take a look at the England squad that won the U17 World Cup back in 2017. Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Emile Smith Rowe were among the most recognisable names in attack, while the midfield featured the likes of Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes - players who have all gone on to earn senior caps for the Three Lions. In defence, Marc Guehi was a standout presence at the heart of the backline, and it's clear that many from this group have already gone on to achieve a great deal in their careers.
Yet for some, the journey has taken a very different path, including one player who started in the final of that tournament and played a pivotal role in helping England beat Spain to lift the trophy.
What Happened to Curtis Anderson After U17 Victory
The goalkeeper lives a very different life now
One of the mainstays in the tournament was number one goalkeeper Curtis Anderson. The Manchester City youngster was picked as first choice ahead of Josef Bursik of Stoke and William Crellin of Fleetwood Town. He featured six times during the tournament, saving and scoring a penalty in a shootout win over Japan, and also started in the famous final.
For some, that performance would have seemed like a launchpad towards senior-level success, provided he maintained an upward trajectory. However, that was not to be the case. Anderson never progressed beyond England's under-19s and, rather than becoming a top-level shot-stopper for one of the biggest clubs in the country, he now finds himself in a completely new career after being unable to carve out a path in professional football.
Instead, the 24-year-old turns out for ninth-tier Kendal Town while working an office job in order to support him in his day to day life.
"I really struggled because I was seeing so many of my old teammates and people I had spent a lot of time with. And then there’s me, sat at home watching on TV, thinking, 'How has this ended up happening?'" Anderson told The Times six years after the World Cup triumph as he discussed the decision to move to the United States and join Charlotte Independence after a move to Blackburn fell through - one which ultimately derailed his career.
"Me being a kid and thinking I knew everything, I was like, no, I need to go and play. Blackburn were clearly there - why not train, stay earning this money and go to Blackburn at the end of the season? Nobody told me to do that."
Curtis Anderson's New Career
The 24-year-old has had a complete career change
After things didn't work out in the United States, Anderson returned to England to sign for Wycombe Wanderers. However, in his three years at the club, he failed to make a senior appearance and with no league football in sight for him, he decided it was time to change his path.
Anderson transitioned into a career in finance, working for Markland Hill Wealth in Lancaster. After earning a diploma in financial planning, he now serves as head of sports financial planning, helping athletes manage their money more wisely than he once did.
Reflecting on his own experience, Anderson said his interest in finance was sparked during his time at Manchester City. After signing his first professional contract, he found himself broke just two years later.
"When I look back, I wonder what I spent my money on. I don’t really know," he admitted. He mentioned buying an apartment, a car, and a Rolex - the latter of which turned out to be his smartest investment. "It’s the only thing I could sell now for more than I bought it for."
On the pitch, Anderson joined Bootle for the 2022/23 season before departing at the end of the campaign. After spending three months as a free agent, he signed for Kendal Town in October 2023, continuing his football journey at non-league level while building a parallel career in financial planning.