World Cup winner Mertesacker to play one more time for boyhood club
Former Germany defender Per Mertesacker will return to the pitch one more time next week to play for his boyhood club TSV Pattensen.
The northern German amateur side play second division Hanover, where he started his professional career, on June 27 on the occasion of their 135th anniversary.
Advertisement
"It is a big honour for me to lace my boots one more time for the club where I started at the age of 4," the Bild paper on Thurs quoted Mertesacker as saying.
Mertesacker said he was "halfway in shape", hopes to last for around 30 minutes, but is not planning to play on a regular basis again.
"It is not supposed to be a Per Mertesacker show but a great experience for TSV," he said.
Mertesacker, 40, joined Pattensen at the age of 4 before moving on to Hanover when he was 11. He made his Bundesliga debut for Hanover eight years later and then also played for Werder Bremen and Arsenal where he ended his career in 2018.
The 2014 World Cup winner Mertesacker has remained in London as head of Arsenal's academy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Euros star is heading back to Albion after agreeing new deal
Euros star Michelle Agyemang is back with Albion. The England striker has rejoined the Seagulls for a second season on loan from Arsenal. Agyemang, 19, became a national star after helping the Lionesses retain their European crown this summer. She has recently been on pre-season tour with the Gunners. But the Seagulls today confirmed she will be back for a second campaign. The news is a huge boost for Dario Vidosic's ambitious squad, who are currently training in Spain ahead of the new WSL season. Head coach Vidosic said: 'We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back for another season. We loved working with her last year and seeing how much she progressed as part of the squad. 'What she achieved during the summer with England was incredible but not surprising. 'She has the character, work ethic and relentless nature of a champion. As a club we're incredibly proud of her. Read more... Albion turn up the heat for WSL season after win over Crystal PalaceWhat to make of Fulham game, safe standing and the new Greek duo?Cup final referee is handed Albion's game at Everton 'She was a pivotal part of our record-breaking season last year and we're excited for what this new season looks like with her in our attack.' Agyemang was named Albion's young player of the season after a campaign which saw her score five goals in 22 appearances across all competitions. She fired a stunning goal on her England debut within 41 seconds of coming off the bench against Belgium. But even better was to follow at the Euros with vital goals in the quarter-final against Sweden and semi-final against Italy. England went on to retain the trophy by beating Spain in the final as Agyemang was named young player of the tournament.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Brighton & Hove Albion re-sign Arsenal forward Agyemang on loan
Brighton & Hove Albion have re-signed forward Michelle Agyemang on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal. WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Seagulls this afternoon. The 19-year-old returns to Brighton & Hove Albion following a successful loan spell with the club last season. Agyemang made 22 appearances for The Seagulls in all competitions, netting five goals. The player helped the Sussex club to record a hugely impressive fifth-place finish in the Barclays Women's Super League. Agyemang came through the academy system at parent club Arsenal and she is being tipped to become one of the world's top strikers. On the international stage, Agyemang has been capped by England on five occasions while she has scored three goals for her country. The forward won UEFA Women's EURO 2025 with the Lionesses last month. After bringing Agyemang back to Brighton & Hove Albion, head coach Dario Vidošić said 'We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back for another season. We loved working with her last year, and seeing how much she progressed as part of the squad. 'What she achieved during the summer with England was incredible but not surprising. She has the character, work ethic and relentless nature of a champion. As a club we're incredibly proud of her. 'She was a pivotal part of our record-breaking season last year and we're excited for what this new season looks like with her in our attack.' Agyemang is expected to link-up with Brighton & Hove Albion on their pre-season trip to Spain.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
England star Michelle Agyemang rejoins Brighton on loan from Arsenal
England forward Michelle Agyemang has returned to Brighton for a second season-long loan spell from Arsenal. The 19-year-old scored two vital equalisers in the knock-out rounds at Euro 2025 to propel the Lionesses into the Basel final, where they successfully defended their title in a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain. Agyemang was named young player of the tournament after her breakthrough campaign, and has been nominated for the women's Kopa trophy at this year's Ballon d'Or awards. Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic said: 'We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back for another season. We loved working with her last year, and seeing how much she progressed as part of the squad. 'What she achieved during the summer with England was incredible, but not surprising. She has the character, work ethic and relentless nature of a champion. As a club we're incredibly proud of her. 'She was a pivotal part of our record-breaking season last year and we're excited for what this new season looks like with her in our attack.' Agyemang, during her first spell with the Seagulls, was called into Sarina Wiegman's squad for the first time in April, scoring 41 seconds into her debut as a substitute against Belgium. She scored five goals in 22 appearances for Brighton across all competitions last season. Arsenal director of women's football Clare Wheatley said: 'We're so proud of Michelle's achievements this summer and throughout her journey at Arsenal, from her first steps in our academy through to our first-team squad. 'After discussing closely with Michelle and her family, we have all agreed that this move will provide Michelle with a further opportunity to develop and grow, as she continues to progress as a young player and person. 'We wish Michelle every success at Brighton and look forward to welcoming her back to Arsenal at the end of her loan.'
