Jonathan Spector

Jonathan Michael Paul Spector (born March 1, 1986) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for English Championship club Birmingham City and the United States national team. He started his professional career in England when he was signed by Manchester United as a teenager, but rarely appeared for the club. He played on loan at Charlton Athletic, then in 2006 joined West Ham United, for whom he played over 100 games before he was released at the end of the 2010–11 season.

Although he began playing as a striker during his youth career, Spector was converted into a defender as a professional. He most commonly plays as a right-back but is capable of playing across the defensive line and in central midfield.

Early life

Spector grew up in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois, which is also the hometown of former Fulham and US national team player Brian McBride. Jonathan went to St. Peter Lutheran school for elementary school and St. Viator for high school. The youngest of four siblings, he played high school soccer at St. Viator High School and started his club soccer career with Schwaben AC in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, before joining national power Chicago Sockers. He graduated from the United States Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy at the age of 17 in the summer of 2003. His father is of Russian Jewish, English, and Irish ancestry, and his mother was born in Siegen, Germany. Spector has acquired a German passport, enabling him to play in England without needing a work permit.