Hull City have captured the signing of midfielder Ozan Tufan - just months after he and Mesut Ozil were both frozen out at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Tufan, 27, joins the Championship club on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. It is seen as a stellar signing by the Tigers, who were bought by Turkish media personality Acun Ilicali earlier this year.
Tufan and former Arsenal star Ozil were both ostracised by Fenerbahce in March. No reason behind the decision was given. Tufan, who has 65 caps for Turkey, has not played since March but joins a Hull side with big ambitions for next season.
He has spent time in England before, with a brief loan spell at Watford in the first half of last season. City, bossed by Shota Arveladze, have also signed free agent Tobias Figueiredo this summer following his release by Nottingham Forest.
Speaking to the club's social media channels, Tufan said: "Today is my first day in Hull. I'm very happy and excited. I'm very proud to be here. I came here to represent my country and club in the best way. Hopefully a good season is awaiting us."
Tufan's disciplinary action has seen him quickly move on from Fenerbahce but as for Ozil, he remains in situ with plenty of question marks surrounding his future. The Turkish club's president, Ali Koc, had announced at the end of last year that Ozil was "unhappy" at the club due to a desire to play more, but revealed that former manager İsmail Kartal was struggling to get the best out of the midfielder.
Speaking back in November, Koc said: "Ozil wants to play more. From now on, he needs to focus on his game and keep his commercial interests out of it. He needs to think about contributing to Fenerbahce. Our coach also needs to try to figure out how to get the most out of Ozil. There is not a problem, despite what the media says. Mesut is unhappy because he does not play regularly."
Having not played any part in the club's final eight games of last season, Ozil's agent recently told Mirror Football he expected his client to be re-integrated next season.
"We all expect it," said Dr Erkut Sogut. "This is what we are hoping for and what we will see. [There's] no chance of any movement, he still has two years on his contract and he will stay there."
However, in a subsequent interview with the Telegraph , the agent hinted that a potential future career in gaming lay ahead for Ozil.
There could be a quick reunion for Tufan and his former club. Hull are scheduled to take on Fenerbahce in a glamour friendly on July 10 at the Sakarya Atatürk Stadyumu in Adapazarı. The Tigers begin their Championship campaign on July 30 at home to Bristol City.
