The transfer of former World Cup winner Mesut Özil to Turkish first division club Başakşehir is complete. The 33-year-old maestro has signed a one-year contract with the Istanbul club. “I am very happy,” Özil declared at the signing ceremony.

The transfer of former World Cup winner Mesut Özil to Turkish first division club Medipol Başakşehir is perfect. The club announced on its website on Thursday that it welcomed Özil to the family and wished him every success in the orange and dark blue jersey. “I am very happy,” Özil said at the signing ceremony in Istanbul.

Club president Göksel Gümüşdağ said Özil had been offered a two-year contract. However, at his own request, he preferred a one-year contract with the option of a further year. After one year, they would then evaluate again.

Only on Wednesday, Fenerbahçe had officially announced the termination of Özil’s contract in a terse statement. “One of the things about life is that it is full of uncertainties,” the 33-year-old maestro tweeted. “Our plans, desires and wishes may not always go in the direction we want,” Özil wrote wistfully. He reiterated that it had been his “childhood dream” to play in the Fenerbahçe jersey.

Özil moved to the Turkish Süper Lig last year as a hopeful from Arsenal FC in the English Premier League to record 28-time champions Fenerbahçe, but he was left out of the Fenerbahçe squad in March. His contract with the top club actually ran until 30 June 2024, and a month ago he had stressed that he wanted to fulfil it despite his suspension.

The reason for the suspension was not made public. In November, club president Ali Koç had complained that the 92-time German international finally had to concentrate on his work and put aside his business affairs.