Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Paul Josef Herbert Scharner[1] | ||
Date of birth | 11 March 1980 | ||
Place of birth | Scheibbs, Austria | ||
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
Position(s) | Defender / Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
1987–1993 | SVG Purgstall | ||
1993–1996 | VSE St. Pölten | ||
1996–1998 | Austria Wien | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1999–2003 | Austria Wien | 84 | (3) |
2001 | → SG Untersiebenbrunn (loan) | 16 | (5) |
2004 | SV Salzburg | 18 | (3) |
2004–2006 | SK Brann | 32 | (7) |
2006–2010 | Wigan Athletic | 145 | (14) |
2010–2012 | West Bromwich Albion | 62 | (7) |
2012–2013 | Hamburger SV | 4 | (0) |
2012 | Hamburger SV II | 2 | (1) |
2013 | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 14 | (0) |
Total | 377 | (40) | |
International career | |||
2000–2001 | Austria U-21 | 12 | (0) |
2002–2012 | Austria | 40 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Paul Josef Herbert Scharner (born 11 March 1980) is an Austrian retired footballer. He operated mainly as a defender, although he could play almost every midfield position as well. He was known for his great positional versatility and haircuts.
Scharner started his professional career with Austrian Bundesliga sides Austria Wien and SV Salzburg, before moving to Norwegian Tippeligaen in late 2004, starting for SK Brann. In January 2006, he entered the Premier League where he played for over six years, playing for Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, respectively. After a short time as a free agent, he transferred to Bundesliga veteran club Hamburger SV in August 2012, before returning to Wigan Athletic on loan in January 2013 - winning the FA Cup. He announced his retirement, at age 33, in September 2013.