VfL Wolfsburg, FC Schalke 04, TuS Wiescherhöfen, Hammer SpVg, VfL Bochum

Mike Hanke was part of the “2006 Summer Fairytale”. The Hamm born player was a member of the German World Cup squad which captured the hearts of the nation’s football fans. “Heart” being the right word here, as the blonde gives it his all in attack and is always dangerous in the opponent’s penalty area.

Hanover’s number nine joined the TuS Wiescherhöfen youth team before playing for Hammer SpVg between 1996 and 1999. From there his path led to a stop gap at Bochum before signing for FC Schalke 04. Hanke made his Bundesliga debut for the Royal Blues on the last day of the 2001/2002 season in the game against VfL Wolfsburg, who were to become his employers three years later. First however a further 56 appearances and seven goals followed for Schalke, before the then 21 year old joined the Wolves in the summer of 2005. During his two seasons at Wolfsburg (2005-2007) the striker found the back of the net 16 times in 53 Bundesliga matches.

Mike Hanke completed his first of eleven national games on June 8^th 2005 in the 2-2 draw with Russia in Mönchengladbach. His only goal up until now in national colours was scored in the 2005 Confederations Cup. In the group game against Tunisia Hanke came on as a substitute and scored in the 3-0 victory. If he shows his goal scoring instinct at 96 then it certainly won’t be his last goal for the national side.