Mesut Ozil signs for Fenerbahce as his seven and a half years at Arsenal finally come to an end

Mesut Ozil has officially confirmed his move to Fenerbahce, ending his topsy-turvy seven-and-a-half-year stint at Arsenal.

The 32-year-old, who had not played for Arsenal since March 7, joins the Turkish club on a free transfer after his £ 350,000-a-week contract with the Gunners was terminated.

Although the news has yet to be officially confirmed by either club, Ozil has now officially spoken about the move, admitting he was “ very excited ” in an interview with the channel. Turkish TV NTV, also confirming that it will arrive in Istanbul on Monday morning.

“I am a fan of Fenerbahce. This is why I am very happy to come to Turkey with Fenerbahce ”, said Ozil. ‘I am very excited. God gave me the chance to wear this jersey as a Fenerbahce fan. God willing, I will wear it with honor and do all I can for the team, ”he added.

“Of course I’m missing a few games. I haven’t played in a game for a while, but I’m in good physical shape, I have no problem, ” he said, adding that he had trained with the first team at Arsenal during his time off the field.

This brings an end to Ozil’s long and controversial spell in north London, where he won three FA Cups and a Community Shield after arriving in a £ 42.5million contract with Real Madrid under Arsene Wenger.

The 2014 World Cup winner with Germany hasn’t played competitively for the Gunners for more than 10 months, with his last appearance coming in the March 1-0 win over West Ham when he assisted Alexandre Lacazette.

Ozil is leaving Arsenal after playing 254 games for the club, scoring 44 goals and collecting 77 assists in more than seven years.

He was named the club’s player of the season in 2015-16, when they finished second in the Premier League against Leicester City.

Ozil was also named PFA Fan Player of the Month three times in 2015.

The playmaker was involved in the 2014 FA Cup final victory over Hull City, which ended Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought, as well as when they defended their Cup crown against Villa one year later.

He was also instrumental in the Gunners’ Cup triumph over Chelsea in 2017, but failed against the same opponents in the Europa League final two years later.

Ozil also played 90 minutes in the 2018 EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City.

However, since signing a new £ 350,000 deal in January 2018 making him the club’s highest-paid player, he has struggled to reach top form once Arsene Wenger left the club this summer. -the.

He had a somewhat upward relationship with Unai Emery – but seemed rejuvenated in the first two months of Mikel Arteta’s reign in the Emirates.

But he did not play after the lockdown – and was only involved in two matchday squads, both in June – and recently took to social media to display his affection for Arsenal and his disappointment with not to be involved.

He has not been selected for either the Premier League or the Europa League this season, but he has continued to train with the first team.

Athletic claims Ozil was expected to earn around £ 7million at the Emirates Stadium by the end of the current campaign, but an early termination was agreed.

Ozil also recently opened up about his affection for Fenerbahce during a question-and-answer session on Twitter.

He teased fans by saying: “ I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan in Germany – every German-Turkish person supports a Turkish team when they grow up in Germany.

And mine was Fenerbahce. Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country.

Asked by another Twitter follower what his favorite part of the city was, Ozil replied “ Kadikoy, ” where the club’s stadium is located.