Toni Kroos all set to shine

| Friday June 18, 2010 00:00

The global showdown in South Africa would not be his first FIFA tournament. The Greifswald-born player represented Germany three years ago at the U-17 World Cup in Korea, helping his country to a third-place finish.

With five goals and four assists, he was also awarded the adidas Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. A modest youngster, who catches the eye with consistent performances in the Bundesliga rather than with tattoos or flamboyant hairstyles, Kroos' star has been in the ascendant ever since his debut in a Germany shirt.

Kroos began his career at home with lower-league outfit Greifswalder FC. In 2002, aged 12, he joined former Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock, playing in the youth team coached by his father. The young technician's class did not go unnoticed by other clubs and in the summer of 2006 Kroos was snapped up by record German championship winners Bayern Munich. After leading the Bayern youth team to a league final, Kroos began training with the senior sidein the second half of the 2006/07 season, making a few appearances in friendlies. Current Switzerland coach and then Bayern boss Ottmar Hitzfeld handed Kroos his Bundesliga debut in September 2007.

At 17 years and 265 days, the attacking midfielder became the youngest ever player to pull on the famous Munich shirt in the German top flight. Universal acclaim His first Bundesliga appearance met with universal acclaim.

'When you see in training, the talent he already has at such a young age, he really is a world-class player,' raved FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Miroslav Klose. Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was also full of praise for the youngster: 'He's the best I've seen for years at youth level.'  The player himself has kept his feet on the ground and his ego in check, unlike many a young prodigy. Combining patience with meticulous hard work, the rising star has delivered consistent performances week in and week out, not only in Germany but also on the European stage.(FIFA