Profile

While several Turkish internationals of recent years have Germany as their country of birth, Mevlüt Erdinç is unusual in that he was born in France. The 21-year-old striker was uncapped for the senior side until March 2008 but earned his call-up thanks to a flurry of goals in Ligue 1 for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Represented France at Under-17 level while receiving his football education at Sochaux's training academy.

Later switched his allegiance to Turkey, representing the land of his ancestors at U19 and U21 level before gaining his first senior cap in March 2008 in friendly against Belarus in Minsk (2-2).

Scored last-minute winning goal on Ligue 1 debut for Sochaux against AC Ajaccio in November 2005 but not a regular over next two years and did not participate in club's 2007 French Cup final win against Olympique de Marseille.

Came good in 2007/08, however, scoring eleven goals to become Sochaux's top scorer by some distance and help save club from relegation.

Got nod in preference to Halil Altıntop as coach Fatih Terim made final cut for UEFA EURO 2008.

Did you know?

Mevlüt is known as 'Mevlut Erding' in France – possibly because of a typing error at the time of his registration.