This German Defender Can’t Stop Scoring in Spain

By Dan Stelly | Photo via Valencia CF

Note: Each week, we work with EA Sports FIFA, one of our sponsors, to highlight a player from their Ultimate Team, which assembles the best players from international and club competition around the world. If you’d like to have this piece (along with other dispatches from the soccer universe) delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our weekly bulletin.

Shkodran Mustafi is our player of the week for his brace in Valencia’s 3–1 victory over Villarreal.

The burly German defender began his career in Hamburg’s youth setup before joining Everton in 2009. After three years and just one appearance for the Toffees, Mustafi moved to Sampdoria and eventually became the Italian side’s first-choice center back, starting nearly every game in 2013–14 while scoring his first professional goal. There was even more success to come on the international stage as Mustafi joined Germany for this summer’s World Cup and played a minor role, including one start and two appearances, as his country won its fourth crown.

It didn’t take long for the defender to sign with Valencia, and it took even less time for Mustafi to make headlines with his scoring exploits. So far, the German has tallied three goals in six games for his new side, and last Sunday’s brace against Villarreal was a prime example of his confidence in the final third.

Watch the highlights of Valencia’s win here.