A dynamic and industrious central midfielder with no little skill on the ball, Khedira stepped into the shoes of injured national team captain Michael Ballack at the 2010 World Cup without any trouble.

The son of a Tunisian father and German mother, he came through the ranks of hometown club Stuttgart, breaking into their first XI in the Bundesliga-winning season of 2006-07. He skippered Germany to glory at the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden, before taking a starring role in the senior German midfield in South Africa.

Sealing a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, he became Jose Mourinho's second major signing, following the arrival of winger Angel di Maria.

Strengths: Has great stamina, a good range of passing and impressive technique on the ball.

Weaknesses: Doesn't shine as much as others in his team and has trouble changing a game on his own.

Career high: Winning the Bundesliga in 2007 in his first season in the first XI.

Career low: Beaten by Spain in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Style: Industrious, commited, a box-to-box midfielder.

Quotes: "Obviously you don't gladly let such a leading player and figure like Sami Khedira leave, but on the other hand, we could understand Sami's desire to continue his career with Real." Stuttgart's director of sport Fredi Bobic.

Trivia: Sami's younger brother Rani plays for the youth ranks of VfB Stuttgart and is a member of the Germany Under-15 team.