Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from professional football, calling time on an 18-year career at the top of the game. The German playmaker made his name while at Real Madrid before making the £42.5million switch to the Emirates Stadium in 2013.
The stay in north London lasted eight years and helped guide the side to four FA Cups before leaving the club for Fenerbache in 2021. He struggled in his time in Turkey, hampered by injuries as he switched to Istanbul Basaksehir, where he ended up finishing his career on Wednesday.
Ozil released a statement on the decision, thanking all of his former sides and the role they played in the time he enjoyed playing football. Plenty of messages from former stars and teammates have come flooding in for the 34-year-old, including some from familiar names.
