John Paintsil is a Ghanaian footballer born on June 15, 1981 in Berekum. He plays as a defender in the full-back position and can also shift to the midfield position effortlessly.
John Paintsil was part of the Ghana Under-21 national team that finished as the runners-up in the 2001 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Youth Championship held in Argentina. He represented the senior team in the 2002 and 2006 African Cup of Nations, and was also a member of the national football team that played at the 2004 Olympics. John Paintsil also featured in all the matches at the 2006 World Cup finals held in Germany.
John Paintsil kicked off his football career in 1997 as a youth player in Berekum Arsenal. Following a brief time with the club, he switched to Liberty Professionals in 2000. After a short stint with Liberty Professionals, he returned back to Berekum Arsenal. John Paintsil then moved to the Polish club, Widzew ?ód?, before joining the Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2002. He was a part of the team that clinched the Israeli Premier League title, as well as the one that made it to the semi finals of the Israeli Cup. During his tenure with the club, he also made 5 Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League appearances.
John Paintsil switched to Hapoel Tel Aviv in December 2004, and was instrumental in its Israeli State Cup win in May 2006 as well as its second-place finish in the 2006 league. He has represented the club in 42 matches, scoring three goals.
On the recommendation of Israeli international Yossi Benayoun, West Ham United manager Alan Pardew selected John Paintsil to be a part of the club’s squad on their pre-season tour of Sweden. He made his presence felt in the tour by giving some remarkable performances in a number of matches. He concluded the deal with West Ham United in August 2006, and during his period at the club, he made 19 league appearances. John Paintsil switched to the Fulham club on July15, 2008, together with his teammate Bobby Zamora.
