Per Mertesacker began his career in TSV Pattensen. At the age of 11, he moved to Hannover 96. His Bundesliga debut came when he was 19, in November 2003 in the match against FC Köln. Per was not really good during the first half and the head coach decided to replace him. That moment the footballer did not play as a back, he performed at the defensive midfielder position.
After Mertesacker signed a professional contract, he had to wait a call-up to Bundesliga for four months. Then club manager Ewald Lienen let the footballer play in the first team and made him a centre back. In 2004/2005 Mertesacker became one of the best players of his club.
On 8 August 2006, he signed a four-year contract with Werder Bremen, which later was extended till 2012.
After Per left Hannover, there was another positive event: he was invited to play for the national team. The footballer made his debut for ‘Die Mannschaft’ on 9 October 2004 in the match against Iran. Per’s first game in the World Cup was on 9 June 2006 in Munich, where the Germany national team played against Costa Rica. Mertesacker took part in all matches of that World Cup and did not get a single yellow card. That bound him with a ‘Mister Clean’ nickname.
On 30 August 2011, the footballer transferred to Arsenal for about £10 million and signed a three-year contract.
Mertesacker currently plays for ‘The DFB-Eleven’ and picked up bronze medals in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and silver medal in the 2008 European Championship.
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