It has been confirmed that Mesut Ozil has joined Fenerbahçe on a permanent deal.
Thank you, Gooners! ❤ #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/gl9n8jltOY
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 24, 2021
The midfielder moves to Turkey after the player reached an agreement with Arsenal to terminate his contract six months early.
Signed by Arsene Wenger from Real Madrid for a then club-record fee of £42.5 million, Ozil made 254 appearances for the Gunners scoring 44 goals and making 77 assists.
He hasn’t played for the club since March and was omitted completely from the playing squad for the 2020-21 campaign.
After completing the move to the Turkish side, Technical director Edu said: “We thank Mesut for his huge contribution to Arsenal. He has made more than 250 appearances, played in three Emirates FA Cup final wins and has given the fans and everyone at the club many wonderful moments on the pitch since he joined us in 2013. We would like to thank Mesut and his team for their professionalism during our recent negotiations. I know everyone associated with Arsenal will join me in wishing Mesut and his family the best of health, success and happiness in the next chapter of his career.”
Mikel Arteta said: “Mesut’s achievements at Arsenal are undisputed. It was a privilege to play alongside him and, more recently, coach him. His creativity and vision led to many goals during his time in the Arsenal shirt. Mesut was at the heart of many great moments for this club over the years, including those three FA Cup final wins. These successes will always be part of our history. We thank Mesut and wish him all the best with Fenerbahçe.”
Mesut said: “I’d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven-and-a-half years. The support I have felt from the team and fans during my time here has been truly incredible and something I will always be grateful for. Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime. The Arsenal fans will forever remain in my heart. I’d like to thank Edu Gaspar for helping bring about a professional and dignified solution in the past few days, and I wish everyone at the club the best in their attempt to continue to bring Arsenal back to the top, where we belong.”
