Arsenal Midfielder, Mesut Ozil Joins Fenerbahce
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has joined Fenerbahce club on a three-and-a-half-year deal after last playing for the Gunners in March, both clubs announced on Sunday.
The 32-year-old was omitted from Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season and his reported deal on a weekly salary of £350,000 ($475,000) was set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Confirming the news, Ozil in a lengthy statement shared on his Twitter page wrote a farewell message to Arsenal and his fans.
Ozil, who won World Cup with Germany in 2014, in the statement said;
I’d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven-and-a-half years. Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Gunners! ❤️ #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/lkVI2qHC6X
— Mesut Özil (@M10) January 24, 2021
— Mesut Özil (@M10) January 24, 2021
— Mesut Özil (@M10) January 24, 2021
Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 and lifted the FA Cup on three occasions under then-coach Arsene Wenger.
After starting the first 10 games of Mikel Arteta’s reign as boss in north London, Ozil’s last appearance came in a win over West Ham last March before the coronavirus pandemic saw football grind to a halt last year.
Arteta in a statement on the club’s website said;
Mesut’s achievements at Arsenal are undisputed. It was a privilege to play alongside him and, more recently, coach him.
These successes will always be part of our history. We thank Mesut and wish him all the best with Fenerbahce.
🔴 254 appearances
⚽️ 44 goals
🅰️ 71 assistsWishing you all the best at @Fenerbahce, Mesut 👊 pic.twitter.com/kq9XdojdXl
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 24, 2021
Ozil ended his international career after what he described “racist” attacks following the holders’ first-round exit at the 2018 World Cup.