Ozil bids Arsenal farewell

BENGALURU: German midfielder Mesut Ozil has joined Turkish Super Lig team Fenerbahce on a permanent transfer, with the Arsenal outcast signing a 31⁄2 year deal, the clubs announced yesterday.

Fenerbahce declared its intention to sign Ozil last week after he fell out of favour at Arsenal and was not included in its English Premier League or Europa League squads this season.

World Cupwinner Ozil, whose Arsenal contract was set to expire at the end of this campaign, was among the highestpaid players at the London club but had not featured since March.

Signed in 2013 for a thenclub record fee of about £42 million ($NZ80 million) from Real Madrid, Ozil played a crucial role under Arsene Wenger in ending Arsenal’s trophy drought, winning the FA Cup in his first season.

‘‘Being with Arsenal for so long has meant I’ve experienced a big mix of ups and downs. Over 250 games, 44 goals and 71 assists later, it’s time that Arsenal and I finally part ways,’’ Ozil said in a statement on Twitter.

‘‘Together, we ended the club’s nineyear trophy drought and brought long needed silverware back to the fans who deserved it.’’

Ozil (32) was marginalised under Wenger’s replacement, Unai Emery, and by Arteta, who said the player’s omission from the squad this season was for ‘‘football reasons’’. — Reuters