Per Mertesacker changes mind about Germany return | OneFootball

Per Mertesacker has chosen to remain in London long term, deciding against relocating to Germany.

His newly-built family home in Hannover is now up for international auction.

Per Mertesacker’s villa

Per Mertesacker has put his newly built luxury villa in Hannover up for auction through Sotheby’s, bringing an end to plans of returning to Germany with his family in the immediate future.

The move seems to confirm the former Arsenal captain’s long-term commitment to life in London, where he continues to head the Arsenal Academy, a role he has held since 2018.

Photo via Arsenal.com

The property, a sprawling 875-square-metre villa in Döhren, had been constructed with the intention of housing Mertesacker, his wife and their five children upon his eventual return from London. Designed with a family of seven in mind, the house includes 18 rooms across multiple floors, six garages with a car lift, a private lift within the home, and panoramic views over the Leinemasch.

It also allows for ‘multi-generational living’, with three self-contained sections, including a 207-square-metre apartment, a 308-square-metre penthouse, and a larger 362-square-metre main residence.

The villa has become the first German property to be listed for global auction via Concierge Auctions, Sotheby’s luxury property platform.

Bidding has opened online, with a live auction to follow in London on 29 May. The current guide price is €8.5 million, but the family retains the right to withdraw the property if the opening bid is deemed too low.

Per Mertesacker’s villa

“We are the hidden gem,” said Timo Mertesacker, Per’s brother, who oversaw the villa’s construction. “Per wanted to live here with his wife and five children. That’s why it’s designed so generously.”

Now, though, the focus has shifted back to London. According to Timo, the decision to stay is driven by both professional and personal reasons. “He wants to stay in London longer. Also, the eldest wants to finish his A-levels there,” he said.

Timo, who serves as CEO of the Mertesacker Family Office and chairs the Per Mertesacker Foundation, manages the family’s financial and charitable affairs.

Mertesacker’s role at Arsenal, leading the club’s youth development, has grown in stature. Under his guidance, the Hale End academy has continued to produce a new wave of talent, including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who were both just 11 when he was appointed.