THE CANADIAN PRESS

Canadian captain Paul Stalteri has left Tottenham by mutual consent, freeing him up to pursue opportunities with other clubs.

The 31-year-old fullback from Toronto joined the English Premier League side on July 1, 2005, after a successful career with Werder Bremen in Germany. Stalteri went on to make 56 appearances for Spurs, scoring three times.

But he was one of several players who fell out of favour as the regime changed at Tottenham.

Things improved when Harry Redknapp succeeded Juande Ramos as manager earlier this season. Stalteri and others left out in the cold were absorbed back into the first-team squad. But Stalteri's progress was slowed by an ankle ligament injury sustained Nov. 19 on international duty with Canada at a World Cup qualifier in Jamaica.

Stalteri's contract at Spurs was to end at the end of this season. On Sunday, the club said on its website that the contract had been "cancelled by mutual consent."

"We wish Paul all the best for the future," the club said.

In an interview last week with The Canadian Press, Stalteri expressed his frustration at his year with Spurs -- especially after the success of a stint on loan with Fulham at the end of last season.

"To be honest it was a difficult, difficult situation for three or four months here," he said.

He hopes to be back at full fitness in a week.

"I'll definitely remain in Europe. That's without a question," he added.

Stalteri made 35 appearances in his debut season at White Hart Lane in 2005-06, but that number fell to 14 the next season. In 2007-08, he made six appearances for Spurs before being loaned out to Fulham where he played weekly in helping the Cottagers avoid the drop.

"There was some interest there but Tottenham asked for a transfer fee that Fulham perhaps weren't willing to pay at that time. Then I returned to the club and really I don't know what the story was, because I was never in consideration (to play) after that.

"It was a weird thing. But with Harry coming in, he's changed that situation around completely for me. Had I not been injured for the last five or six weeks I'd probably have had some performances for sure. ... He's made it a club again, really."

In July, Spurs had decided there were some 12 players surplus to needs. Stalteri was one of them. A number left but Stalteri and a handful of others -- Ricardo Rocha, Hossam Ghaly, Adel Taarabt, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Ben Alnwick-- remained and were left out of the squad.

"That was a decision made not just by Ramos but also by the sport director (Damien) Comolli, I would imagine."

Stalteri has played for Canada 73 times, including all six games in the recent round of World Cup qualification. Only Randy Samuel (82) and Mark Watson (78) have more caps for Canada.