Per Mertesacker - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Per Mertesacker is a retired German professional footballer who played as a centre-back. 2. He was born on September 29, 1984, in Hanover, West Germany. 3. Mertesacker began his professional career at Hannover 96 before moving to Werder Bremen in 2006. 4. In 2011, he signed for English Premier League club Arsenal, where he spent seven seasons and became a fan favorite. 5. Mertesacker earned 104 caps for the German national team, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2014. 6. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, Mertesacker was known for his height, strength, and aerial ability in defense. 7. He was nicknamed the "BFG" (Big Friendly Giant) by Arsenal fans due to his towering presence on the pitch and amiable personality off it. 8. Mertesacker retired from professional football in 2018 and took on a role as the head of the Arsenal Academy. 9. He is known for his intelligence and leadership qualities, often serving as captain for both club and country. 10. Mertesacker is highly respected in the footballing world for his professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to the game.