Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has joined Fenerbahce 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 German 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 camapaign.
“ I’ d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven -and -a -half years, ” Ozil, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 , said in a statement.
“ Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime, ” he added.
Ozil , who is of Turkish origin, was heavily criticised in Germany for posing for a photograph with Turkey ’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2018.
Erdogan was also the best man at the player ’ s wedding in Turkey .
Ozil ended his international career after what he described “ racist ” attacks following the holders’ first- round exit at the 2018 World Cup.
Fenerbahce , one of Istanbul ’ s three big clubs, are currently third in the league behind Besiktas .
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 .
“ Mesut ’s achievements at Arsenal are undisputed. It was a privilege to play alongside him and, more recently , coach him ,” Arteta said on the club ’s website .
“ These successes will always be part of our history . We thank Mesut and wish him all the best with Fenerbahce .”
In December 2019 , Arsenal also distanced themselves from comments Ozil made on social media criticising China ’s treatment of the Uighur population .
AFP