World Cup winner Mesut Ozil has wasted no time in finding himself a new club after his Fenerbahce contract was terminated.
The official announcement of Ozil’s contract termination from Fenerbahce came on Wednesday afternoon. The German will stay in the Turkish Super Lig after signing a deal with city rivals, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Ozil will become another former Premier League star to play for Basaksehir, following in the footsteps of the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Demba Ba, Martin Skrtel and Gael Clichy.
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Basaksehir were only founded in 1990, but has now become one of the top teams in the country, they won their first ever Super Lig title back in 2020. In the season after, they famously beat Manchester United in the Champions League group stage.
Ozil will now link up with the likes of Nacer Chadli, Lucas Biglia and Stefano Okaka at his new club.
The 33-year-old moved to his boyhood club Fenerbahce in January 2021 after his Arsenal career ended bitterly as Gunners boss Mikel Arteta froze him out of the squad at the Emirates club.
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Eventually, the midfielder was allowed to get out of his Arsenal contract early and opted to sign with Fenerbahce on a three and a half year deal.
His time in Turkish football started brilliantly after scoring nine goals in 26 matches, but his time with Fenerbahce soon turned sour.
He fell out with then manager Ismail Kartal which saw his game time dip dramatically.
Kartal was replaced this summer by former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus, who quickly made it clear that Ozil was no longer needed.
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Jesus said: “He had his time, his space, he has a beautiful history in Turkey, nobody can take it away from him.”
“He is a well-known player around the world. But I will follow exactly what was the end of the Ozil era.”
The move from Ozil has come as a surprise after his agent Dr Erkut Sogut previously said his client was not seeking a move away.
Sogut told the Daily Mirror: “No chance of any movement, he still has two years on his contract and he will stay there.”
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Ozil’s agent also suggested that the German will spend the rest of his career in Turkey.
He added: “I think he wants to retire his career in Turkey, he always wanted it.”
“I can't see right now him going to another country from there. Before the move to Fenerbahce, it could have been done but not anymore I guess. But you never know in football.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Mesut Ozil, Fenerbahce, Turkish Super Lig
