Former Arsenal man Mesut Ozil announces retirement from football

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By Martin Graham | 23rd Mar 2023

Mesut Ozil has hanged his boots and has officially retired from football.

The ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid man has decided to call time on his career after making 645 total appearances.

Ozil made a name as one of the brightest talents in European football at Werder Bremen and completed a big move to Real Madrid after impressing for Germany at the 2010 World Cup.

The playmaker won the Copa del Rey and LaLiga in Spain and spent three years at the Bernabeu before joining Premier League side Arsenal for a club record £42.5million fee back in 2013.

He was also part of the 2014 World Cup winning squad with Germany.

Ozil initially hit the ground running at Arsenal, winning four FA Cups during his time in north London and playing over 250 games for the Gunners. However, he left the Emirates on a sour note after leaving in January 2021, having been frozen out by current manager and former teammate Mikel Arteta.

He spent a year-and-a-half at Fenerbahce, where he failed to make an impact, before moving on to Istanbul Basaksehir last summer. Sadly, he could only made eight appearances for Istanbul Basaksehir and after recurring injury problems, he has now agreed to terminate his contract and retired from football at the age of 34.

Ozil announces retirement

In a statement on Twitter, Ozil said: “Hello everyone, after thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football,” Ozil wrote in an Instagram statement on Wednesday.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.

“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.

“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, plus teammates who have become friends.

“Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and bad.

“Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.

“Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels.”