Paul Stalteri

Paul Stalteri (born October 18, 1977 in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian soccer player, who is currently a defender (football) for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the FA Premier League.

Stalteri signed with Spurs in May 2005. A defender who can play either side of the field as well as in midfield, Stalteri played 7 seasons for Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga (football), from 1998 to 2005.

Paul began his soccer career playing one year of college soccer at Clemson University in 1996, the same university that felow north american soccer player Oguchi Onyewu played for. Following his freshman year, he elected to turn professional, signing a contract with the Toronto Lynx while attending York University. After playing one season with the Lynx, alongside fellow Canada men's national soccer team teammate Dwayne De Rosario, where he led the team in scoring with 8 goals and 2 assists, Stalteri was noticed by a scout from Werder Bremen and purchased from the team. After three years in the reserves, Paul made his debut with the club in August 2001, scoring in the first game of the season against Energie Cottbus.

During the 2001-02 season, Stalteri established his role in the first team at Bremen and went on to cement his role as a regular in the 2002-03 season. In 2003-04, Stalteri became the first Canadian player to win the Bundesliga as Werder Bremen won the league championship.

In 2005, Stalteri transferred unexpectedly to English Premiership outfit Tottenham Hotspur. He enjoyed a certain first team place in his first season, (2005-2006), but the arrival at White Hart Lane of full back Pascal Chimbonda has limited his chances so far this season.

Stalteri has been a regular with the Canada men's national soccer team for several years since making his debut in August 17, 1997 against Iran national football team. He has a total of 50 caps, and has scored 6 goals for the national team.

On March 4, 2007, after coming on as a substitute, he scored a dramatic last minute winner against London rivals West Ham United to complete an extraordinary 4-3 win. He had hardly featured in the first team all season up to that point.