Per Mertesacker German football player Date of Birth: 29.09.1984 Country: Germany

Biography of Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker is a German footballer who currently plays as a central defender for the English club 'Arsenal' and the German national football team. He was born on September 29, 1984, in Hanover, Germany. His interest in football began at a young age due to his father, who was a coach for the youth team of the famous club 'Hannover 96'. Mertesacker spent most of his time at the club's stadium during his childhood.

After training with the local team 'TSV Pattensen' until 1995, Mertesacker caught the attention of scouts from 'Hannover 96'. He joined the club and played for their youth teams before making his professional debut.

Mertesacker stands out on the field due to his height of 198 centimeters, earning him the nickname 'the Defence Pole' in Germany and 'Big F*cking German' in England. Another distinctive characteristic of Mertesacker's game is his clean play. In the Bundesliga, he played 31 matches without committing a single foul, earning him the nickname 'Saubermann' or 'Mr. Clean'.

Mertesacker is considered one of the best German defenders and one of the most expensive defenders in the world. His transfer to Arsenal involved a significant fee, making it one of the club's largest expenses in a calendar year.

Outside of football, Mertesacker enjoys spending time with his family and is dedicated to his charitable foundation, the 'Per Mertesacker Stiftung', which supports young athletes from underprivileged areas. He frequently organizes charity matches and donates all the proceeds to those in need. Mertesacker believes that every professional footballer should follow his example and often invites his teammates to participate in charitable events and meet young fans.

Mertesacker has been a member of the German national team since 2004 and is now one of the most experienced players in the squad. He has faced numerous challenges with the national team, including consecutive defeats in major tournaments and the tragic death of teammate Robert Enke. However, in 2014, Germany won the World Cup in Brazil, providing Mertesacker and the team with a much-deserved victory.