9. Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski profile

• Name
  Lukas Podolski
• Born
  June 04, 1985
• Gliwice, Poland
• Position
  Striker
• Squad Number
  9
• Previous Club(s)
  Cologne
• Bayern Munich
• Cologne
• Joined Arsenal
  July 01, 2012

Experienced forward Lukas joined Arsenal from FC Cologne at the start of July 2012.

A Germany international (though born in Poland), Lukas can play in a central or left-sided attacking position, and he arrived fresh from a season in which he scored 18 goals for a side that was relegated at the end of the Bundesliga campaign.

Lukas has been prolific throughout his career. Emerging from Cologne’s youth system, he scored 51 goals in just 85 games during his first spell there before signing for Bayern Munich in 2006. There, he found things slightly tougher - but still netted 26 times in 106 appearances. Returning to Cologne in 2009, he finished his second stint with 35 goals from 95 games.

It is mainly through his exploits at international level that Lukas is well known to English fans. He won his 100th cap for Germany during Euro 2012 while just 26 (the youngest European to the milestone) - marking that milestone match against Denmark with a goal. 

Lukas has a goalscoring record of nearly one in every two games at that level, and was critical to his nation’s successful World Cup campaigns in 2006 and 2010, as well as their runners-up position in Euro 2008. 

Fast, skilful and with a clinical left foot, Lukas looks sure to be a fine addition to the Gunners’ attacking options this season.