Mesut Ozil: Arsenal Defender Sends Sweet Message To Compatriot

Arsenal defender, Shkodran Mustafi has branded new Fenerbahçe signing, Mesut Ozil, "the most unselfish player on and off the pitch" he has ever played alongside.

Ozil landed in Turkey on Sunday night and was pictured with a Fenerbahce scarf and his M10 branding.

Mesut Özil has arrived in İstanbul! ?? pic.twitter.com/pilsRxfDaK

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) January 17, 2021

All that stands in his way is a medical and once that is passed, football followers expect official confirmation of Ozil as a free acquisition some time today (Monday).

The world-cup-winning midfielder spent roughly eight years at the London club and has now called time on a not-so-successful Gunners' career.

Praising Ozil for his footballing attributes, Mustafi who himself is the subject of transfer speculation, said Ozil "will be always remembered as the Assist King".

"Bro, you have been the most unselfish player on and off the pitch, I have ever shared the dressing room with," Germany international, Mustafi wrote on his verified Twitter handle on Monday.

"You will be always remembered as the #AssistKing.

'"Unfortunately we as a team haven’t been able to assist you when you needed us the most. All the best. #SM20."

Bro, you have been the most unselfish player on and off the pitch, I have ever shared the dressing room with. You will be always remembered as the #AssistKing. Unfortunately we as a team haven’t been able to assist you when you needed us the most. All the best ❤️ #SM20 pic.twitter.com/gEfl6AWzZj

— Shkodran Mustafi (@MustafiOfficial) January 18, 2021

 

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Ozil's contract was due to expire at the end of this current season but with Arsenal close to agreeing early termination, the playmaker will now join Fenerbahce on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Ozil said: "I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan - the biggest club in my country".

The 32-year-old is understood to have said goodbye to his Arsenal team-mates and club staff at London Colney on Sunday.

The ex-Real Madrid man who is Arsenal's highest earner, has not played for the Gunners since March 2020 after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.

Ozil was not registered in Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads this season and has been free to talk to other clubs since the beginning of January.

The Fenerbahçe development comes after progress was made in talks between Arsenal technical director Edu, Fenerbahce director Emre Belözoğlu and Ozil's agent, Erkut Sogut.

The Gunners made it clear they wanted Ozil to leave in January.

Ozil's wages - he currently earns around £350,000 per week - are not expected to be a problem, and it is thought he will forego a portion of the outstanding payments on the remainder of his Arsenal contract.

Fenerbahce are under increasing pressure to meet financial fair play regulations and made it clear throughout the negotiation process that they would be unable to pay any significant transfer fee to Arsenal.

The club will be helped by part of Ozil's overall income agreement being funded by the Istanbul-based Exxen Media Group, which in return will retain some of his image rights.

Emre - who spent three years as a player with Newcastle - believes Ozil can play a key role as a mentor to Fenerbahce's young players.

What an absolute joy was watching Mesut Ozil play for my club. At his best he’s that kind of player that reminds me why I love football so much. All the best at Fener, @MesutOzil1088

pic.twitter.com/VN9M81GwdN

— Renato (@rehnato) January 16, 2021