An excellent first season at FC Schalke 04 earned Heiko Westermann his first two international caps against Austria and Switzerland at the start of 2008. His commanding performances in both matches suggest that the 24-year-old utility defender has a long career ahead of him in the Nationalmannschaft.

Spent first five years of professional career in German second division with SpVgg Greuther Fürth, finishing in fifth place four times and accumulating 83 appearances. Also represented Germany's Under-21 team.

Joined DSC Arminia Bielefeld in 2005; inauspicious Bundesliga debut in 5-2 defeat at Werder Bremen but played all 34 matches in first season and 33 in second.

Scored five league goals for Bielefeld, all of them contributing to victories.

Joined Schalke in 2007 for €2.8m; missed first two games, a substitute in third, started remaining 31, mostly as centre-back but also covered at left-back for injured Christian Pander.

Did you know?
Westermann was the only outfield player to appear in every minute of Schalke's 2007/08 UEFA Champions League campaign, in which they reached the quarter-finals.