A fast-developing attacking midfielder who can also play up front, André Schürrle made a blistering start to international football with Germany, scoring five goals in his first ten matches, including three in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying. He moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen after a superb 2010/11 season with 1. FSV Mainz 05.

• Born in Ludwigshafen, he left his local club for Mainz at 16 and was fast-tracked into the first team, making his Bundesliga debut against Leverkusen on the opening day of the 2009/10 campaign and scoring his first two goals the following month in a 3-2 win at VfL 1848 Bochum.

• Missed just one match in his debut Bundesliga season, scoring five goals, as Mainz finished ninth.

• Announced his 2011 departure to Leverkusen as early as September 2010 but played out a brilliant second season with Mainz, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals − a club record − to help them finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

• Made his debut for Germany on 17 November 2010 in a friendly against Sweden and scored his first goal versus Uruguay on 29 May 2011; added further UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying strikes against Azerbaijan, Austria and Belgium plus another in a prestige friendly victory over Brazil.

• Scored on his Leverkusen debut in a German Cup tie against SG Dynamo Dresden but had to wait until mid-October before opening his Bundesliga account for the club, against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach; registered his first European goal in a UEFA Champions League home triumph over Valencia CF four days later.