Serdar Taşçı

VfB Stuttgart

Tasci was born in Esslingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, to Turkish parents from Artvin. He started playing football when he was six; he then played for the youth teams of SC Altbach, Stuttgarter Kickers and VfB Stuttgart. Before the 2005–06 season, he joined Stuttgart's second team, playing in the Regionalliga (third division), after helping the VfB to win the German B-Junior Championship (2004) and German A-Junior Championship (2005) ahead of his senior career. Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Tasci was promoted to the club's Bundesliga side. After being included as an unused substitute in a match against 1. FC Nürnberg, Tasci had his professional debut against Arminia Bielefeld on 20 August 2006; the match—the second of the season—was a 3–2 win in which Tasci was substituted for injured Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson in the 68th minute. His first goal followed a week later in a game against Borussia Dortmund in a 1–3 defeat. His second goal of the season came on 29 October 2006, in a 3–0 win over Schalke 04. Shortly after, Tasci signed a contract that ran until 2010 with the club. Throughout the 2006–07 season, Tasci received a handful of first team appearances, playing in either the right–back and centre–back positions for the side. However, he was soon plagued with suspension following his sending–off, in a 4–1 loss against 1. FC Nürnberg on 27 January 2007 and injuries. Despite this, Tasci helped VfB Stuttgart beat Energie Cottbus to win 2–1 and…

Club

As of 9 January 2020.

1.^Includes DFB-Pokal and Russian Cup. 2.^Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League.

International

As of 19 August 2013

Because of his Turkish descent and German birth, he was eligible to play internationally for either Germany or Turkey, but in October 2006 he decided to play for Germany despite interest from Turkey. Tasci explained his decision by saying, "It was a decision for Germany and not against Turkey, but in the end, it's German coach Joachim Löw who made the most effort for me to come."

Youth career

On 12 September 2005, Tasci made his Germany U19 debut in a 1–1 draw against China U19. He went on to make two more appearances for the U19 side. On 30 August 2006, Tasci played his only match for the Germany U20 team, when he started in a 1–0 win against Switzerland before being substituted. Two months later, Tasci was called up by the Germany under-21 team for the first time, but did not play. Tasci made his debut for the Germany under-21 team on 6 February 2007 in a 2–0 win against Scotland, in what turns out to have been his only appearance for the U21 side.

Senior career

In August 2007, Tasci was called up to the Germany's senior team for the first time but did not play. He went on to make his senior international debut for Germany on 20 August 2008 in a friendly match against Belgium in Nuremberg, which they won 2–0. The debut came exactly two years after his Bundesliga debut. He was called up to the Germany squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by coach Löw, being the second player of Turkish extraction in the squad, along with Mesut Özil. Tasci made…

While playing for Stuttgart, Tasci left school in February 2007, four months before he was due to leave. Although he said he intended eventually to study sports management, the decision apparently upset his mother, herself a teacher, as she wanted him to finish school. His father, an excavator, was apparently less distressed at the decision. Tasci later revealed that his mother had indeed wanted Tasci to pay more attention to school, but that his father wanted him to be a footballer, since he had given him his first football boots. In the end, he did not disappoint either his mother or father, as he studied well. Because of this, he decided to become a footballer after making a decision to continue his studies or become a footballer. Tasci also revealed that his father is now his agent. Tasci is a devout Muslim. In addition speaking German, Tasci speaks Turkish and currently learning Russian. He has one sister. In August 2013, the owner of a website faced legal action when he used Tasci's name on his social network page. In June 2007, Tasci visited his parents' hometown, Artvin, where he received a plaque at Yusufeli Sports Club in honour of his memory.