Having impressed with VFB Stuttgart with his scoring prowess, Bayern Munich shelled out €30 million in his pursuit in 2009. The German forward hit the ground running as he scored 39 and 41 goals in the following season, also playing a crucial role in the historic treble victory in 2013.
The emergence of another Mario, Mario Mandzukic, trimmed his first-team chances towards the end of that season, prompting a move to Fiorentina.