A defender released by David Moyes while at Everton has been handed a surprise call up to the Germany squad by Joachim Low.

Shkodran Mustafi, now 21, was let go on a free transfer by Moyes in 2012 after making just one substitute appearance for the Goodison Park side.

But he has flourished at current club Sampdoria and has now been deemed good enough to make the Germany squad for their friendly with Chile on Wednesday.

Released: Shkodran Mustafi, released by David Moyes when manager of Everton in 2012, has been called up to the Germany squad by Joachim Low

Making his mark: Since leaving Everton, Mustafi as played regularly for Sampdoria in Serie A and has now earned a first Germany call-up for Wednesday's friendly with Chile

Surplus to requirements: Moyes let Mustafi go to Sampdoria on a free transfer in 2012 after he made just one substitute appearance for Everton

Centre back Mustafi was a German youth international right through his time at Everton but made his only appearance as a substitute for Tony Hibbert in a Europa League tie with BATE Borisov in December 2009.

He moved on to the Serie A side in January 2012 for nothing and has since made 41 appearances.

Mustafi has a relatively low profile in Germany but was a member of the side that won the European Under 17 Championship in 2009 and has two Under 21 caps.

Through the ranks: Mustafi has been a regular for Germany's youth teams over the last few years and is not set for a first senior cap

Heritage: Mustafi is also eligible to play for Albania through his family but looks set to choose Germany

Muscling in: Mustafi could be in consideration for a place in Germany's World Cup squad if he performs well against Chile

He is one of four newcomers selected by Low for the friendly in Stuttgart, alongside Matthias Ginter of Freiburg, Pierre-Michel Lasogga of Hamburg and Andre Hahn of Augsburg.

They could feature alongside stars Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski in the match as Low decides his squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

'Many players, including key players, are still injured or just back from injuries and not yet in full form,' Low said.

'Now is the chance to act and find solutions and alternatives. That is why we brought some new faces.'

Mustafi was born in Germany but is also eligible for Albania because of his family heritage.