Emre Can has had an enormous impact on Liverpool this season, emerging as one of our best centre back options. The German has arguably been our best signing from the summer in which nearly £120 million was spent.
Can was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1992 to Turkish parents. He joined small German club SV Blau-Gelb Frankfurt around the age of six and developed his game there until 2006.
Next, he joined the youth system and further blossomed for another three years.
He was spotted by Bayern Munich in 2009 and eventually joined their youth system where he played for two years.
In 2011, he featured for Bayern Munich’s reserve team, where he was coached by Andries Jonker, currently head of the academy at Arsenal.
Mainly playing as a defender in 2011, Can and his squad finished 14th in the Regionalliga Süd.
Following the 2011 season, first team manager at the time, Jupp Heynckes, was impressed by Can. He was called up to the first team for the 2012 DFL-Supercup (equivalent to the FA Community Shield) in a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the age of 18, where he started the match at left back and was subbed off in the 70th minute.
The lone goal Bayern Munich conceded to Dortmund was nearly five minutes after Can came off the pitch. He helped hold the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus scoreless for 70 minutes.
This was the season he was recognised as a midfielder. He played mostly for the reserve team, while featuring for the first team occasionally.
The following summer, Can moved to Bayer Leverkusen on a four-year deal with a buy-back clause for Bayern Munich. He shined at Leverkusen, which Liverpool scouts noticed, showing his versatility throughout the season in which his squad finished 3rd in the Bundesliga.
In his international career, Can is eligible to represent Turkey if he chooses, but he has already stated his interest in playing for Germany. He has represented Germany since his U15 days, but has yet to make an appearance with the senior squad.
In 2011, he was awarded the Fritz Walter Medal as the best U17 player in the country.
Since his arrival at Liverpool in the summer, it is becoming more and more obvious how much of a bargain Emre Can has been. The 21-year-old could have a tremendous career ahead of him at Anfield.
