The two were team-mates at Reading, before The Royals sanctioned Antonio’s exit.
West Ham United defeated Sunderland at the weekend.
The goal in the 1-0 win came from winger Michail Antonio. The former Nottingham Forest star has found himself a regular in the team in recent weeks after struggling to force his way into the starting XI after his initial arrival at the Boleyn Ground.
He bent in a cute left-foot finish before pulling out a Homer Simpson celebration as West Ham picked up a hard-fought win.
Forest fans will no doubt be kicking themselves watching him thrive in the Premier League – but not as much as Reading fans.
Antonio was with the Royals as a youngster. He joined from Tooting and Mitcham United in 2008 but spent time out on loan at Cheltenham Town, Southampton, Colchester United before turning an initial loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday into a permanent move in 2012 – with Reading happy to let him leave.
One of his former team-mates at Reading was Jem Karacan. The Turkish midfielder, who currently plays for Bursaspor on loan from Galatasaray, came through the ranks at Reading and was a team-mate of Antonio’s.
He sent the West Ham star this message on Twitter after his match-winning Premier League performance at the weekend:
Reading fans will no doubt be kicking themselves at the form of this talented wide-man. West Ham fans will however continue to revel in his improved form.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
