April 24, 2008 MLS Toronto FC sign defender Olivier Tebily (from Toronto FC Media Relations)
04/24/2008 5:36PM
Toronto FC signs defender Olivier Tebily
Toronto FC Media Relations
Toronto FC announced the signing of free agent defender Olivier Tebily. As per team and league rules no details were released. "We're adding another experienced player to the squad," said head coach John Carver. "He's had a good career especially at Celtic and Birmingham; he'll definitely improve the team with his versatility as he can play either in the centre or on the right in the back."
Tebily, 32, began his career in France in Ligue 2 with Niort where he spent five seasons before joining Chateauroux (1998-99) and Sheffield United (1999) for brief stints. The Ivorian then moved from Sheffield to Scottish giants Celtic in June of 1999. A regular starting spot in the Celtic squad helped him internationally as he was named to the Ivory Coast national team and a member of the 2000 African Cup of Nations team. With Celtic he received a Scottish Premier League winners' medal in 2001, and that same year was honoured as a nominee for African Footballer of the Year, losing out to El Hadji Diouf of Lens.
In March of 2002, Tebily made the move to Birmingham City, who at that time was a member of the League Championship, for a fee of 700,000 pounds. He remained with Birmingham until the end of his contract in January of 2008, spending nearly six years with the club.
Olivier Tebily #28 (pronounced TEB-eh-lee) Position: Defender Height: 6'0" Weight: 191 Birthdate: December 19, 1975 Nationality: Ivory Coast Roster Designation: Senior/International
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