Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski, voted the best young player at last year's World Cup, is set to become a father for the first time.
The 22-year-old, who has scored 24 international goals in 44 appearances for Germany, is expecting a child with long-time girlfriend Monika Puchalski, 21.
The pair met in Poland when they were 17 and Puchalski's twin brother told German on-line magazine Bunte he is looking forward to next year's birth.
"I am really looking forward to being an uncle," said Lukas Puchalski.