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| Mesut Ozil of Fenerbahce during the Turkish Super League football match between Fenerbahce and Konyaspor at Sukru Saracoglu Ulker Stadium on March 20, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. |
Mesut Ozil has left Fenerbahce after his contract
was terminated by mutual consent — and swiftly joined Turkish Super Lig rivals
Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Athletic understands that the former Arsenal and
Real Madrid midfielder, 33, will sign a one-year deal with the option of a
further year at Basaksehir later tonight.
While his contract has been terminated, it is
thought that Fenerbahce will still pay him until 2025 and his signing ceremony
for his new club will happen tomorrow.
Basaksehir, who finished fourth last season — eight
points behind second-placed Fenerbahce — teased Ozil's arrival on Twitter.
Ozil moved to Fenerbahce in January 2021 after
falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract but his
departure after 18 months was confirmed on Wednesday, before his move to
Basaksehir was announced.
In a statement, Fenerbahce said: “It has been agreed
that the contract between our club and Mesut Ozil will be terminated by mutual
agreement. We wish Mesut Ozil success for the rest of his career.”
Ozil last featured for Fenerbahce in March and
played 36 matches for the side in total, scoring nine goals and assisting
three.
He joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 and went
on to make 184 Premier League appearances.
Ozil also inspired Germany to World Cup victory in
2014.
