Paul Peschisolido (born May 25, 1971 in Scarborough, Canada) is a professional footballer who has played for several English Football League sides and 52 times for the Canadian national team. He has scored 10 times in internationals.
A 5'7, 10 st. 12 lbs. striker, 'Pesch' began his pro playing career when still a high-schooler as a trainee with the Toronto Blizzard of the Canadian Soccer League. He also played the 1990-91 Major Indoor Soccer League season with the Kansas City Comets, being named the league's 'Newcomer of the Year'.
A failed attempt to join Juventus saw him offered the opportunity from his former national youth team coach Tony Taylor to join Birmingham City, for whom he played two seasons, 1992-93 (19 appearances - 7 goals) and 1993-94 (24 - 9). He then joined Stoke City for 1994-95 (40 - 13) and 1995-96 (30 - 7). Pesch returned to City for a brief spell at the end 1995-96 scoring once in 9
appearances.
Peschisolido played with West Bromwich Albion in 1996-97 (39 - 15) and the first part of 1997-98 (11 - 6) before joining Fulham for a 1,100,000 pound transfer fee. For the remainder of the 1997-98 season he appeared 37 times for 'the Cottagers' scoring
13 goals. In 1998-99 he made 40 appearances, scoring 10 times. In 1999-00, Pesch scored 7 in 36 games.
After appearing in two League Cup matches for Fulham in 2000-01, Peschisolido was first loaned to Queens Park Rangers (5 appearances - 1 goal), to Sheffield United (5 - 2), and to Norwich City (5 - 0). He was sold to United and appeared for them in 2001-02 (31 - 6), 2002-03 (34 - 7), and until the spring in 2003-04
(32 - 9). He then joined Derby County, his current club, on a free transfer, appearing 11 times and scoring 4 times, in helping to see the side avoid relegation.
Peschisolido is married to Managing Director of Birmingham City F.C., Karren Brady. The couple have two children, daughter Sophia and son Paolo.
