Spurs Snare Stalteri - soccer24-7.com Forums

PJH · May 16 2005, 01:57 PM

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign Canada international Paul Stalteri from Werder Bremen.
The full back recently announced he would be leaving the deposed German champions when his contract expires in the summer.
He has been repeatedly linked with a move to The Premiership and rejected a switch to Crystal Palace last summer.
Charlton Athletic and Manchester City were also mooted as admirers of the full back but Spurs have won the chase for his signature.
Spurs sporting director Frank Arnesen admits he is overjoyed to have landed Stalteri ahead of some stiff competition for the 27-year-old.
"I am delighted we can announce our next signing for the new season," Arnesen told the club's official website.
"Paul Stalteri is a defender who can play in midfield - so he is a multi-functional player, who can play on both sides.
"He has come from a tough environment at Werder Bremen and their players are very well known for their mentality.
"I am delighted to get him in, there were a lot of clubs chasing him including some from England.
"He will be a big plus for the squad."
In addition to Stalteri, Spurs have already struck deals for Teemu Tainio and Tom Huddlestone as Martin Jol looks to take the club into Europe.

bayrene · May 16 2005, 03:38 PM

Good deal. he is a very consistent defender and is also a great crosser of the ball. fits spurs perfectly

**Lil Yiddo** · May 16 2005, 05:23 PM

I think Dawson and King are gonna make a great partnership ... they would be my first choice.

**Paradox** · May 16 2005, 05:24 PM

But he's a full back not center back

MrTea · May 16 2005, 05:51 PM

Don't really know much about the guy, bit destressed that hes part of the defence that got heavily spanked by lyon but I'll give this guy all the support I can.

Quaresma07 · May 17 2005, 02:59 AM

Stalteri's Spurs desire
skysports

Paul Stalteri has revealed he shunned other offers to fulfil his dream of playing in The Premiership with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Canada international has concurred on a four-year contract with Spurs to join Martin Jol's side on a free transfer from Werder Bremen.

The full back recently decided to end his seven-year association with the former German champions and a move to England was his goal.

Charlton Athletic and Manchester City were linked with the 27-year-old, who conceded he received offers from other Premiership clubs.

He opted not to unmask the identity of his other suitors but confirmed there were also offers from various clubs around Europe.

But the chance to join an ambitious Tottenham team swayed Stalteri into rejecting the interest from elsewhere in favour of a deal in North London.

"It was a tough decision to leave Bremen when I decided to but it was definitely my goal and my dream to play in The Premiership one time," Stalteri told skysports.com.
"Obviously I'm delighted it's a top club like Tottenham.

"In the last little while they've expressed an interest and they've watched a lot of games this year.

"There was a lot of potential clubs and a lot of other offers that came my way.

"I won't comment on names but my top club and top decision was Tottenham. It's a massive club and there is great potential. That's why I chose to join them."

Stalteri, who can also operate in a variety of positions, has accrued valuable experience during his time in Die Bundesliga.

He admits this was a key reason why Spurs boss Jol and sporting director Frank Arnesen made a move for his services.

"Obviously it's important for me to know the coach wants a player and he expressed he wanted me to join the club," added Stalteri.

"That (Stalteri's experience) was one of the things we spoke about with Frank. That experience could definitely help.

"He felt there was a little lack of experience this season and that was one of the reasons for signing me because I have that experience, not only in Europe, but of winning things in Germany, too, and I could bring that winning mentality to the club."

Stalteri will be joined at White Hart Lane by Teemu Tainio and Tom Huddlestone in the summer and there could be further additions ahead of next season.

Spurs have adopted a policy of bringing in young talent over the past couple of seasons and Stalteri feels there is the potential to achieve a European spot next term, after the club just missed out on the Uefa Cup this time around.

"The club have such great young players and there is huge potential at the club," he continued.

"We want to be one of the top teams in The Premiership and we want to get into one of those automatic Uefa Cup spots."