Goetze given number 10 shirt

Mario Goetze has been handed the number 10 shirt by Borussia Dortmund, sporting director Michael Zorc has revealed.

The Germany playmaker, who made just an 11-minute cameo for his country at Euro 2012, has been rewarded for his club form by the Bundesliga champions, despite an injury-hit 2011/12 campaign.

“Mario has earned the 10 (shirt),” Zorc said.

Gotze spoke of his pride at changing from number 11, and revealed that he had played with the coveted playmaker’s number on his back throughout his childhood.

“In my youth I’ve played only with it (the number 10 shirt). And now being able to play with it in the Bundesliga, it’s amazing,” he told Bild.

And the 20-year-old is keen to live up to the standards of former incumbents Tomas Rosicky and Andreas Moeller.

“Clearly this is a special number, but for me it does not carry any load. I see the 10 rather as an additional stimulus,” Goetze said.