Arsenal confirmed Mesut Ozil’s transfer to Fenerbahce on Sunday, following which the German midfielder thanked the club and their fans on social media.
The 32-year-old has signed an official deal of three-and-a-half years with Fenerbahce and he trained with his new teammates on Sunday as well.
Ozil will earn around £60,000 per week at Fenerbahce, which is £290,000 less than his previous weekly wage at Arsenal. However, the wage will be boosted by sponsors and endorsements. Moreover, he has received a £4.5m sign-on fee as well.
Ozil hasn’t played even a single game for Arsenal ever since their 1-0 win over West Ham in March, 2020. However, he still took it to social media to express his gratitude for the club and its fans.
“I’d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven-and-a-half years,” he said on Twitter in his heart-felt letter to Arsenal fans.
“The support I have felt from the team and fans during my time here has been truly incredible and something I will always be grateful for,” he added to the club’s official website.
“Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime. The Arsenal fans will forever remain in my heart.
“I’d like to thank Edu Gaspar for helping bring about a professional and dignified solution in the past few days, and I wish everyone at the club the best in their attempt to continue to bring Arsenal back to the top, where we belong.”
Ozil also made an Instagram post which was far more emotional,”I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me by Arsene Wenger in September 2013. I’ve grown up as an adult in North London, a place I’ll always call home. I’ll never forget that.
“It’s difficult for me to put into words the love I feel for this club and the fans. How could I possibly describe eight years of gratitude in a single letter? I will be a Gunner for life – no doubt about that.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also spoke about Ozil’s departure from the club and said that the German midfielder will be remembered for playing in three of the four FA Cup finals Arsenal won during his stint with the club.
“Mesut’s achievements at Arsenal are undisputed,” said Arteta.
“It was a privilege to play alongside him and, more recently, coach him.
“His creativity and vision led to many goals during his time in the Arsenal shirt. Mesut was at the heart of many great moments for this club over the years, including those three FA Cup final wins.
“These successes will always be part of our history. We thank Mesut and wish him all the best with Fenerbahce.”
