Mesut Özil, the midfielder capped 47 times by Germany, has completed his deadline day transfer from Real Madrid to English Premier League giants Arsenal, the Gunners announced shortly before the transfer window closed on Monday evening. Özil spoke exclusively to DFB-TV about the his switch to England.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal, where he will play alongside Germany team-mates Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker. The centre-back and Özil are currently together in Munich, preparing for Germany’s World Cup qualifiers against Austria at the Allianz Arena on Friday (live on ZDF from 20.45) and against the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn on Tuesday 10 September (live on ARD at 20.45).
"I’m thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal, and I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League," said Özil, who moved to Madrid from Werder Bremen in 2010 for €15 million. "The transfer will be great for my personal development, and I’m looking forward to an exciting future," he added.
The midfielder expressed his appreciation to Real’s fans via Facebook: "Many thanks for three wonderful years. Things have moved in a different direction than I thought they would a few days ago." On Sunday evening, Real signed English Player of the Year Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur.
That meant the way was clear for Arsenal and Arsène Wenger. "Özil is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level," commented the Gunners boss. "We’ve watched and admired him for some time, as he has all the attributes I look for in an Arsenal player," he added.
Özil was quick to return the compliment: "I had excellent talks with Arsène Wenger. I’m looking forward to working with him, and I want to justify the faith the coach has placed in me."
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Mesut Özil, the midfielder capped 47 times by Germany, has completed his deadline day transfer from Real Madrid to English Premier League giants Arsenal, the Gunners announced shortly before the transfer window closed on Monday evening. Özil spoke exclusively to DFB-TV about the his switch to England.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal, where he will play alongside Germany team-mates Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker. The centre-back and Özil are currently together in Munich, preparing for Germany’s World Cup qualifiers against Austria at the Allianz Arena on Friday (live on ZDF from 20.45) and against the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn on Tuesday 10 September (live on ARD at 20.45).
"I’m thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal, and I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League," said Özil, who moved to Madrid from Werder Bremen in 2010 for €15 million. "The transfer will be great for my personal development, and I’m looking forward to an exciting future," he added.
The midfielder expressed his appreciation to Real’s fans via Facebook: "Many thanks for three wonderful years. Things have moved in a different direction than I thought they would a few days ago." On Sunday evening, Real signed English Player of the Year Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur.
That meant the way was clear for Arsenal and Arsène Wenger. "Özil is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level," commented the Gunners boss. "We’ve watched and admired him for some time, as he has all the attributes I look for in an Arsenal player," he added.
Özil was quick to return the compliment: "I had excellent talks with Arsène Wenger. I’m looking forward to working with him, and I want to justify the faith the coach has placed in me."
