Brothers in blue: The Ferdinands play together for Albion for the first time

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Lorenz and Tate impressed in clean sheet win over Leicester City.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-09-15T08:00+01:00

Tate Ferdinand played with his brother Lorenz for the first time in an Albion shirt against Leicester City. 📷James Boardman

The 3-0 victory for Albion’s under-21 side over Leicester City on Friday was not only the team’s first win of the season in Premier League 2 but also the first time that brothers Lorenz and Tate Ferdinand had played together for the club in a competitive match.

Tate has stepped up from the under-18s to join Lorenz in the under-21 squad this season, so this was likely to be the first of many shared experiences at this level.

Lorenz, 20, and centre back Tate, 18, were especially happy to keep a clean sheet.

“We’re buzzing for it,” Tate said. “It's good to play together. We've played at younger levels together, but obviously in the PL2 it's especially good. So I enjoyed it a lot.”

A key moment against Leicester came just before half time, with Albion leading 1-0 slightly against the run of play.

Lorenz did well to parry a shot from the left, but the ball ran loose to Leicester striker Joshua King. A goal seemed certain but Tate came to the rescue with a well-executed block.

“My heart went a bit funny after that one,” Tate said. “But it was good to get the block.”

Lorenz Ferdinand kept a clean sheet in Albion's PL2 win over Leicester City. 📷James Boardman

Otherwise, the brothers were keen to downplay the occasion.

“I think it was just like another game,” Tate said. “Obviously it adds to it. I actually prefer it more than anything. Because I know that he's going to have my back and I'm going to have his back.

“But at the end of the day, when we step on the pitch, we're teammates just like everyone else. And all you want to do is just win. That's all it's about.”

Lorenz agreed. “I think that's the main thing. Once the whistle blows, he's just another teammate of mine.

“Obviously, as people, we understand each other better than anyone else. But on the pitch, we've not played together loads of times. So we're still building that connection at the same time.

“But training together every day makes it a lot easier when we step up to that pitch on a Friday night.”

Brothers can be competitive, but once football became serious for them, battles in the back garden were forgotten.

“We used to do shooting practice in the garden,” Tate said. “He'd go inside a few times with tears in his eyes.”

“He just made me better, that's all,” Lorenz replied.

Unlike many goalkeepers, he does not have a secret desire to be a goalscorer.

“Do you know what? I think I might have a better shot than Tate," he said. "But no, I wouldn't say I'm a striker. I'm pretty comfortable playing in goal. Especially when this man's in front of me as well.

“Where we need to be competitive, we're competitive. But we always look out for each other like any other brothers would do. And I feel like it shows on the pitch.

“Training together every day helps. And we definitely do try and get on the same team in small-sided games and stuff. We're more caring than competitive with each other.”

Under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth said: “I've got to say that not only are they talented young footballers, they're really good guys.

“They don't spend all their time together, they've got their own spaces. But their dynamic is really good to have in the dressing room.

“It was nice for Lorenzo to play behind Tate and to have that connection. And I'm delighted they've both got a clean sheet.”

Albion start their Premier League International Cup campaign on Wednesday when Paris Saint Germain visit the American Express Elite Performance Centre, kick off 7pm.