Mesut Ozil has landed in Turkey ahead of a medical and has revealed that joining Fenerbahce will be a “dream come true“.
Ozil will join Fenerbahce as a free agent once an early termination of his Arsenal contract is finalized. His contract with the Gunners is due to expire in the summer with the paperwork expected to be completed in the coming days before Ozil signs a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Ozil after arriving in Turkey in the early hours of Monday morning said: “I am very excited because I was always a fan of Fenerbahce. My dream comes true.
“I am very excited to wear the Fenerbahce jersey. I hope we will be very successful with my team-mates.
“May God bless our fans, because they always support us. As I mentioned I am very happy to be here.
“I hope that I thank our fans with my good performance on the pitch.”
The Arsenal midfielder said goodbye to his Arsenal team-mates and club staff at the club’s training ground on Sunday before flying on a private jet from London to Istanbul.
Fenerbahce publicly declared they were in negotiations with the former Germany international on Sunday and have informed investors and the Borsa Instanbul (Turkish stock exchange) about the start of negotiations with the player.
The club confirmed the player’s arrival on social media late on Sunday night.
Ozil also gave a brief phone interview with NTV in Turkey earlier in which he confirmed the move.
“I am a Fenerbahce fan,” Ozil said.
“That is why I am very happy to be coming to Turkey with Fenerbahce. I’m very excited. God gave me the chance to wear this jersey as a Fenerbahce fan. God willing, I will carry it with honour and do everything I can for the team.
“Of course, I’m missing a few matches. I haven’t played in a match in a while, but I am physically fit, I have no issues.”
The 32-year-old has been frozen out by Mikel Arteta and as a result, has not played for the Gunners since March 2020.
Ozil was also left out of Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season and has been allowed to talk to other clubs since the beginning of January with his Gunners deal expiring in the summer.
Fenerbahce made it clear throughout the negotiation process that they would be unable to pay any significant transfer fee to Arsenal with increasing pressure to meet financial fair play regulations.
Istanbul-based Exxen Media Group would help the club with funding part of Ozil’s overall income agreement and in return will retain some of his image rights.
Ozil’s representatives were also in talks with MLS side DC United. In a Twitter Q&A earlier this week, Ozil expressed his desire to play in Turkey and the US before he retires.
Ozil, who arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, scored 44 goals and registered 77 assists in 254 appearances for the club.
So he is really gone!? I hope one day the secret of why he was pushed out is revealed.