Pantsil began his career in his native Ghana before he headed to Poland and then Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in December 2004. He represented Ghana at both the 2002, 2006 and 2008 African Nations Cup competitions and was selected for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Pantsil also played all his country's games in the 2006 World Cup
Normally plays at right back but his versatility makes him a strong squad member, having also featured in central defence and at left back for his country.

National team: A member of the Ghana Under-21 side that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in Argentina in 2001, Pantsil soon moved onto senior duty. Selected to he national team for 2002 & 2006 African Cup of Nations in Mali & Egypt respectively. He was also selected for the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece and played all matches at the 2006 worold cup in Germany

Club: Began his career in Ghana at Berekum Arsenal FC before moving to Liberty Professionals.  He joined Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in 2002 and won the Israeli title and reached the Israeli Cup in his first season.

2003/04: Made 22 league appearances as Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC finished runners-up in the league. Finally scored his first goal for Maccabi in the side's UEFA Champions League qualifier against MŠK Žilina at the start of the season.

Did you know? : A devout Christian, Pantsil prays on the pitch before each match, seconds before kick-off.

News

• August 2006: West Ham have signed Ghana defender John Paintsil from Hapoel Tel Aviv for a fee that could rise to £1m

• December 2004 Moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv after completing his loan move across town from Maccabi. Hapoel paid $50,000 to loan Pantsil until the end of the season.

• Found his appearances limited at Upton Park, making just nine starts during his time with the Hammers and moved to Fulham