Teemu Tainio, a Finnish footballer, was born on November 27, 1979 in Tornio. Well-known for his fighting spirit and strong tackling ability, he is a defensive and an attacking midfielder. Teemu Tainio made his first international appearance on February 5, 1998 in a match against Cyprus and established himself as a regular member of the national squad in the following years. Being the key player of the Finland national team, he is often quoted as the future captain of Finland. As of August 2008, Teemu Tainio has played 43 matches, scoring 6 goals.
Teemu Tainio started his career in football by joining the youth ranks at his home-club TP-47, Finland's third division, and was soon moved to the first team when he was 14. FC Haka, a Veikkausliiga club, signed him for the 1996 season, during which he played 20 matches and netted 4 goals. During his tenure with the club, he was instrumental in the club’s win at the 1997 Finnish Cup and also in the 1997 Second Division title. In 1997, Teemu Tainio was transferred to AJ Auxerre, a French club, and stayed with the club for eight years. He was a part of the squad that won the Coupe de France twice (2003, 2005) and played a total of 148 matches for the club, netting 4 times. During his tenure with the club, he also played for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League.
In the summer of 2005, Teemu Tainio moved to Tottenham Hotspur, the club he supported as a boy, on a seven-year deal. Following his free transfer to the club, he played remarkably well and was popularly known among fans and Martin Jol, the then manager of Tottenham Hotspur. In December 2005, Teemu Tainio scored his first goal for the club in a Premiership match against Newcastle United at White Hart Lane. In the 2006-07 season, he scored twice in 29 starts for the club. He scored his second goal for the club on December 9, 2006, in a match against Charlton Athletic, which resulted in a 5-1 win. On March 4, 2007, he netted his third goal, which was the equalising goal, in a 2-2 draw against West Ham. In the finals of the 2008 Carling Cup (Football League Cup), Teemu Tainio came in the 75th minute substitute and contributed to the club’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. During his stint with the club, he played 61 matches and netted 3 goals.
On July 23, 2008, Teemu Tainio joined Sunderland, becoming the club’s first summer signing and the first Finnish player for Sunderland.
