Mustafi signs for Valencia
August 7, 2014Mustafi will undergo a medical and be presented to the media on Thursday, Valencia confirmed in a statement on their website.
Spanish media quote the transfer fee as between 8 and 9.5 million euros ($10.7-12.7 million).
The 22-year-old shot from relative obscurity to stardom in his home country after helping Germany win the World Cup in Brazil.
His performance at the tournament fueled rumors of a move to a bigger club. Last month, Mustafi admitted there had been offers from clubs in the Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen were reportedly among those interested -but he instead opted to remain abroad.
Valencia, normally one of Spain's regular Champions League competitors, finished a disappointing eighth last season and will not participate in European competition this year. Mustafi is the third Germany international to play for the club after Timo Hildebrand and Rainer Bonhof.
Quick rise to fame
Born in Germany with Albanian heritage, Mustafi came up through the footballing ranks outside of his home country. He made his professional debut in England with Premier League side Everton, before establishing himself in the Serie A last season at Sampdoria.
He was uncapped until May and was considered an outsider to make Joachim Löw's 23-man World Cup squad, but a last-minute injury to star midfielder Marco Reus opened up a spot on the roster.
Mustafi once again made the most of his teammates' misfortune during the tournament when injuries to Mats Hummels and then Jerome Boateng got him on the field in group stage matches against Portugal and Ghana respectively. He started Germany's Round of 16 match against Algeria, but was substituted in the 70th minute with a leg injury and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the competition.
He is the third German player to make the move to Spain this summer following Toni Kroos' big-money transfer to Real Madrid and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen's switch to Barcelona.