Mesut Özil

Özil announced his retirement from professional football, citing recurrent injuries.

Özil signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year with İstanbul Başakşehir.

Özil moved to Turkish club Fenerbahçe as a free agent after his contract with Arsenal was terminated.

Özil made his debut for Arsenal in their league game away to Sunderland.

Özil agreed to join English side Arsenal for a reported fee of around £42.5 million (€50 million).

Özil made his debut for Real Madrid in a friendly match against Hércules.

Özil signed with Real Madrid for a transfer fee believed to be around €15 million.

Özil played his 100th Bundesliga game, scoring the 1–0 lead in a 2–0 win against his former club Schalke.

Özil scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 2–1 win against Karlsruher SC.

Özil moved to Werder Bremen for a reported fee of €5 million, signing a contract with the German club until 30 June 2011.

Mesut Özil was born in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, as a son of Turkish immigrants.