The youth team has educated many players who have become regulars in the Fußball-Bundesliga and the Germany national football team, such as Eike Immel, Lars Ricken and the current club Director for Sport Michael Zorc. Most recent graduates include first team regulars Marco Reus, Nuri Şahin and Marcel Schmelzer. The club has notably produced World Cup champions Mario Götze and Kevin Großkreutz.