 He began his career as a youth player at Chelsea, where he made one appearance aged 17, deputising in a UEFA Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv, when several players did not travel to Israel because of a security threat.He joined Brentford on loan in September 2003 and extended his loan in November 2003 for the rest of the 2003–04 season, during which he made 25 league and cup appearances for Brentford.He was released by Chelsea at the end of the 2003–04 season, and after trials with Dutch club Willem II Tilburg and Walsall, joined Mansfield Town in December 2004 on a non-contract basis.