Former Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Özil has announced his retirement at age 34.
Özil spent the final three seasons of his career in Turkey, signing with İstanbul Başakşehir last summer before injuries limited him to just seven appearances this season.
The playmaker was best known for his time at Madrid and Arsenal in his club career, and for an international career with Germany that saw him earn 92 caps and lift the World Cup in 2014.
“After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football,” Özil wrote in an announcement 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 has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank my clubs – Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahçe, Başakşehir and the coaches who supported me, plus teammates who have become friends.”
Özil was one of the premier playmakers of his generation. After starring for Germany at the 2010 World Cup he earned a move to Real Madrid, where he would record at least 20 assists in each of his three seasons.
Arsenal paid a then club-record fee of $54.8 million for Özil in 2013. He would go on to score 33 league goals and add 54 assists during his time in north London, before he was frozen out by Mikel Arteta near the end of his Arsenal career.
Özil tallied 19 assists in the 2015-16 Premier League season, one shy of the league record.
In addition to the World Cup, Özil won plenty of silverware at the club level in his career, including cups in Germany, Spain and England, as well as the La Liga title.
In 2018, Özil retired from international duty for Germany due to what he said was “racism and disrespect” over his Turkish heritage.
Özil said he felt “German when we win” but like “an immigrant when we lose.”
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