RED NATION SPEAKS TO PAUL STALTERI Canada - Feature | Posted on Oct 22/09 by Steven Bottjer

Born in Etobicoke, Ontario, Paul Stalteri grew up in Brampton, Ontario and is a defender who can play either side of the field, as well as in the midfield. After being offered a scholarship at Clemson University in South Carolina, he played one year for the soccer program at Clemson while also maintaining a full academic schedule. Following his freshmen year, Paul elected to turn professional and signed a three year deal with the Toronto Lynx, while also enrolling at York University to continue his education. He played one season with the Lynx, where he lead the team in scoring with eight goals and two assists. It was during his season with the Lynx that Paul was spotted by a scout from top German club Werder Bremen. He was officially purchased by Werder Bremen from the Toronto Lynx in November 1997 and played with the reserve team from 1997 until 2000.

In August 2000 he made his first team debut against Energie Cottbus. In this landmark match, Paul and his Canadian National Team teammate Kevin McKenna became the first Canadians to play in the top league in Germany. Paul scored in this game and, thus, also become the first Canadian to ever score in the Bundesliga. During the 2001-2002 campaign, Stalteri fully established himself as a first team regular at Bremen and become a key member of one of the big clubs in Europe. The 2003-2004 season was a magical and successful one for both Paul and the rest of Werder Bremen, with the club winning the league championship and Stalteri becoming the first Canadian player to win the Bundesliga. During that season, Bremen also won the German Cup and, thus, made that season even more historic. Paul remained with Bremen for one more campaign and played in his first Champions League game in September 2004 against Inter Milan. At the end of the 2004-2005 season he made the decision to leave the Bundesliga and signed a four year contract with Tottenham Hotspur FC of the English Premiership.

Paul was a first team regular in the 2005-2006 Premier League campaign, as the Spus narrowly missed out on a Champions League place. With the arrival of full back Pascal Chimbonda at White Hart Lane for the 2006-2007 season, he found his first team playing time reduced. On March 4th, 2007, Paul came on as a substitute and scored a last minute winner against London rivals West Ham United. In January 2008, Stalteri moved to Fulham on loan until the end of the season. On the December 21st, 2008, his contract with Tottenham was terminated by mutual consent.

Paul almost immediately signed with Borussia Monchengladbach and returned to Germany, where he helped Gladbach retain their position in the Bundesliga during a relegation battle in 2008. With a Two and Half Year contract, Stalteri again plys his trade for one of the most storied clubs in Germany.

Captain Canada

Paul has been an important part of the Canadian National Program and has played for Canada at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. He made his official debut with the Senior Men’s National Team on August 17, 1997 in a friendly against Iran. Since then Paul has been a key member of the Canadian team and has amassed a total of 77 caps and has scored seven goals. He was named team captain for a friendly against Venezuela on June 1st, 2007 and retains that notable leadership role to this day, providing consistent on field leadership.

In February 2000, Paul and the other members of the Canadian National Team shocked the soccer world when they won the 2000 Gold Cup, which is the main football competion of the men’s national teams governed by CONCACAF. Mexico and the United States are the only other countries to have won the tournament. It was Canada’s first major international honour in more than 100 years of football and certainly ranks along with the 1986 World Cup Qualification as one of the greatest successes of the national team.

Through the good times and the challenging times, Paul Stalteri has been a devoted member of the national team and has proudly worn the number 7 for Canada.