Teemu Tainio

Teemu Tainio (born November 27 1979 in Tornio) is a Finland football (soccer) who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the FA Premier League in England. He can play both as a Midfielder Defensive midfielder and Midfielder Attacking midfielder midfielder and even Midfielder Winger. Known for his fighting spirit and strong tackling, he has constantly suffered from minor injuries throughout his career.

Club Career

Early career

Tainio was promoted to the first team of his home-town club TP-47 in Kakkonen, Finland's third division, at the age of just 14. He was signed by Veikkausliiga club FC Haka for the 1996 season. Tainio joined France club AJ Auxerre in 1997, and spent eight years at the club. He won the Coupe de France with AJ Auxerre twice, and also gained UEFA Champions League experience. His time at the club was, however, plagued by injuries, which also postponed his move to a higher profile league.

Tottenham Hotspur

With Tainio's contract with Auxerre due to expire in 2005, he became available on a free transfer (soccer). In January 2005, it was announced that he would move to Tottenham Hotspur, the club he supported as a boy, on a four-year deal in the summer of 2005. Tainio became an instant hit with both fans and manager Martin Jol in pre-season matches, and he become a regular for Spurs in his first season, playing in different midfield positions.

He scored his first goal for his new club in December 2005 against Newcastle United F.C. during a Premiership match at White Hart Lane. Tainio was one of ten Spurs squad members reportedly struck down by food poisoning on the evening of May 6 2006 before their crucial final game of the season against West Ham United F.C.. He nevertheless played in the match, which Spurs lost, missing out on a place in the Champions League.

He scored his second Spurs goal on December 9 2006, the third goal in the 5-1 home win against Charlton Athletic. His third goal for the club was an equaliser against West Ham United F.C. to make the score 2-2 on March 4 2007].
A volley that he struck brilliantly after a cheeky Aaron Lennon flick. Spurs went on to win the game 4-3. His past few performances for Tottenham have stood out, a sign of more quality to come as he becomes a key part of the team's midfield.

International career

Tainio made his debut for the Finland national football team on February 5 1998 against
Cyprus national football team, and has been a regular for the team through most of the 2000s. He is now considered perhaps the most important player in the team after Jari Litmanen, and is often mentioned as a future Finland captain.

Unfortunately for Finland, Tainio's injury problems have meant that he has missed a lot of important matches for his country as well.

On April 12 2007, Tainio played as an emergency right back in a UEFA Cup match with Sevilla FC.

Personal life

Tainio is currently residing in Abridge, Essex.

Honours

- Finnish Cup: 1997 with FC Haka.
- Coupe de France: 2002-03, 2004-05 with AJ Auxerre.