Karim Bellarabi. He's the German bolter. The kid who qualified - and was ignored - by Ghana and Morocco now playing for the world champions.
And for Bayer Leverkusen football director Rudi Voeller, Germany's latest sensation is a personal triumph.
Fresh from a superb international debut which had Germany coach Joachim Low gushing in his praise, Bellarabi had scouts from Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Newcastle United all make their way to the BayArena in midweek for Bayer's Champions League tie with Zenit St Petersburg.
Bellarabi has burst onto the European scene this season, though at 24 is a late bloomer. Indeed, if not for the faith shown by Voeller, he could easily be playing away from Bayer this term.
"We had planned another loan," recalled Voeller, who admits new coach Roger Schmidt knew very little about the winger.
Schmidt, over coffee and cake before preseason kicked off, discussed Bellarabi with Voeller.
"There were a number of offers for him," continued the Bayer chief, "not unusual for a player of his quality."
Schmidt was unsure, particularly after a disappointing loan last season with Eintracht Braunschweig. But Voeller talked up Bellarabi's qualities to his new coach.
"I told him: 'Give him ten days in training. Then make a decision. I think you'll enjoy his play'."
Fast-forward to today and Bellarabi has been an ever-present for Schmidt this season, boasts the fastest goal in Bundesliga history and now has his two first caps for Germany.
Discussing Bellarabi's sudden career turnaround, Schmidt explains: "Something's clicked for him. He's embraced our game plan and is now working for the team.
"He's always had great pace and dribbling ability. But now he also uses that pace when he doesn't have the ball. He's now becoming a team player.
"For someone in his mid-20s, making such a leap can happen when adjusting your game like this."
Bellarabi admits the arrival of Schmidt has been the making of him.
"Everything that's come to me is thanks to the coach," he says. "I am grateful as he gives me confidence.
"I knew this season would be important. I decided to attack it with everything. You only get so many chances in life..."
Those chances included the opportunity to declare for Germany. With a Moroccan mother and Ghanaian father, Bellarabi could easily have been lost to the Mannschaft, but both nations dragged their feet as he struggled for consistency in the early years of his career.
This season, it was different. As Joachim Low called him up for the Euro qualifiers against Poland and the Republic of Ireland, both the FAs of Morocco and Ghana had publicly declared their interest. But it was all too late.
Against Poland, Bellarabi nailed his colours to the mast and produced a performance that had Low in almost awe.
"For his first game, his commitment was incredible," enthused the Germany coach. "He was incredibly active and involved. I was very happy with him.
"He was always in the game, driving us forward."
Voeller, reflecting on that international week for his protege, said: "Karim had an outstanding match against Poland. Against Ireland, it was difficult, but clearly we could see his qualities anyway. He proved his selection was more than justified.
"Mentally, he now is hovering on a cloud, he will continue this momentum."
Fans of Ghana and Morocco shouldn't be too critical of letting Bellarabi slip through the net. Speaking before his call-up, the winger admitted Germany was "home".
"I've thought a lot and talked a lot with my family. I was born in Germany and grew up here, I speak the language - it's just a gut feeling and from the heart this is my first home," he said.
With his international future settled, now his club career is in focus, with Premier League giants stepping up their interest.
Voeller is well aware of Bellarabi's growing profile and is busy drawing up a new, four-year deal for the winger to consider. For the moment, he can leave Bayer on a free in June, next year - and commit to a pre-contract with any English club from January 1.
Speculation last week in Germany suggested one unnamed Premier League giant had already made contact with Bayer about a €20 million offer ahead of the January market.
"We are in talks with Bayer," confirmed the player's adviser, Konstantin Liolios. "It's about a realignment of the contract. Nothing has been decided yet, but Karim would very much like to stay in Leverkusen for longer."
A €20 million move to the Premier League? Not bad for a player who only months ago was struggling to get off the bench at relegated Braunschweig.