Squad: Mesut Özil (10)

Mesut Özil

A constant work in progress, Mesut Ozil has quickly earned a reputation as an elegant and versatile midfielder. His knack for the final pass, his free-flowing movement on every third of the pitch and his exquisite left foot earned Ozil a spot in Shalke 04's academy in 2005. It only took one season for the midfielder to earn his promotion to the first team and he made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 17.

During the winter transfer window 0f 2008, Ozil completed a switch to Werder Bremen, where he played over 60 matches and scored 13 goals. With Werder, the midfielder went on to win the 2009 DFB Cup and the 2009 DFL Supercup. On an individual level, Ozil was rewarded for his outstanding Bundesliga play by being named the best player of the first leg of the 2009 season.

Ozil is paving the way for the German national team's new generation of players. Although of Turkish decent, his entire life has been committed to Germany. He played for the Under-17 side and moved his way up to the Under-21 side, which won the 2009 European Championship. Ozil provided two assists and scored a goal in the final against England.

His debut with the senior side dates back to 12 August 2009, when Germany defeated Azerbaijan. Ozil continued to impress in World Cup qualifiers and by the end of the 2010 World Cup was among the ten finalists for the Golden Boot.

Data

• Place of Birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
• Date of Birth: 10/15/1988
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 70 kg.
• Height: 181 cm.
• Nationality: German

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 2010/11
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• DFB Cup: 2009
• DFL Supercup: 2009
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2009
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009