Clubs: Rot Weiss Ahlen, Borussia Dortmund

• Born and raised in Dortmund, Grosskreutz joined his home-town club in 2002 but left shortly afterwards for Rot Weiss Ahlen, where he developed his game in the youth sector.

• Helped Ahlen achieve promotion to the 2. Budnesliga in 2008 and proved his qualities in the second tier, scoring 12 goals in the 2008/09 campaign.

• Re-signed for Dortmund in summer 2009, making his Bundesliga debut in the opening game of the 2009/10 season at home to 1. FC Köln (1-0) and scoring his first goal in December against 1. FC Nürnberg (4-0).

• Completed his debut Bundesliga season with five goals in 32 games (21 starts) and graduated from the Germany youth and Under-21 teams to the senior side, making his debut as a 57th-minute substitute in a pre-FIFA World Cup friendly against Malta (3-0) on 13 May 2010.

• Established himself on the left of midfield in the Dortmund side that stormed to the Bundesliga title in 2010/11, scoring four goals before the winter break and two more in the first game after the resumption – a crucial 3-1 win at rivals Bayer 04 Leverkusen.