Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34.
The ex-Germany international has been plagued by a back problem during his maiden campaign with Istanbul Basaksehir, making just seven appearances and failing to register a goal or assist.
Taking to social media on Wednesday morning, Ozil admitted that his physical problems had taken a toll on his body, and he believes that now is the right time to hang up his boots.
"Hello everyone, after thoughtful consideration, I'm announcing my retirement from professional football," the German wrote on Twitter.
"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's been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs - Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir and the coaches who have supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.
"Special thanks must go to my family members and 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 the bad.
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"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."
A product of the Rot-Weiss Essen academy, Ozil's first foray into senior football came at Schalke, who he joined in 2005 and made 39 senior appearances for before moving to Werder Bremen in 2008.
While on the books with the River Islanders, Ozil burst onto the scene with 16 goals and 54 assists in 108 games, winning the DFB-Pokal in the 2008-09 campaign and setting up 31 goals in two Bundesliga campaigns.
The playmaker's exploits caught the eye of Real Madrid, who signed him for £15.8m in 2010, and he would set up a whopping 81 goals in 159 appearances for Los Blancos, winning the La Liga crown in 2011-12.
Arsenal subsequently brought Ozil to North London in a then club-record £42m deal, and the German won three FA Cups with the Gunners, recording 44 goals and 79 assists in 254 appearances.
However, Ozil was frozen out of the squad under former teammate Mikel Arteta and left for Fenerbahce in 2021, scoring nine goals in 37 games before ending his career at Basaksehir.
A key member of Germany's 2014 World Cup winning-squad, Ozil posted 23 goals and 40 assists in 92 games for Die Mannschaft before retiring after the 2018 World Cup amid a racism storm.
Ben Knapton
