Paul Huntington

Paul David Huntington (born 17 September 1987) is an English professional footballer who is a centre back for Preston North End.

Club Career

Newcastle United

Huntington joined Newcastle United Academy on 1 July 2004. He was promoted to the reserve squad in late 2004 to play tougher opposition and gain experience. He made his reserve debut for the club on 7 December in a 3–0 home win over Middlesbrough, and made his official England Under 18 debut against Scotland fifteen days later where he won 1–0, partnered with David Wheater at centre back. He got his 2nd cap on 10 June 2005 vs. Norway at Vale Park in a 0–0 draw. He signed his first professional contract at the club in July 2005.

His first involvement with the first team at Newcastle was when he appeared on the bench for the club's Intertoto Cup games against ZTS Dubnica and Deportivo La Coruna in July 2005. In the summer of 2005 he was awarded the prestigious Jackie Milburn trophy. He was named for the first team squad for the FA Cup third-round tie against Mansfield Town. He made the substitutes bench for the UEFA Cup match against Celta Vigo.

On 9 December 2006 he made his first Newcastle appearance as a late substitute against Blackburn Rovers and duly received praise from Newcastle legend Alan Shearer on BBC programme "Match Of The Day". On 14 December he started his first game for Newcastle, appearing at right back away at Chelsea in the Premier League. In that game, he received the Man Of The Match accolade. He scored his first ever goal for Newcastle on 14 January 2007, the first equaliser in Newcastle's 3–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He played in a UEFA Cup last-16 match against AZ Alkmaar, losing on away goals over the two legs. He went on to make 16 appearances for the first team whilst making the bench for most of the 2006–07 season.

Leeds United

On 31 August 2007, he transferred to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee. He made his home debut for