Real Madrid sign Mesut Ozil
Real Madrid have confirmed that they have signed 2010 FIFA World Cup star Mesut Ozil from Werder Bremen. The Germany international playmaker has arrived at the Bernebau for a fee believed to be between 15 million and 20 million euros and has signed a six-year contract with the La Liga giants.
The club made the announcement on their website that the 21-year-old will play under Jose Mourinho this season. They said in a statement that: "His unique touch, unmatched individual technique, excellent ball control and deadly last pass make the German midfielder one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in European football."
Mourinho revealed that Madrid had a bid of around 12 million euros rejected by the German Bundesliga outfit over the weekend, but an improved offer was enough to see the player make the move to Spain. It has been reported by The Guardian that Ozil will earn around five million euros per year after taxes are deducted.
World Cup star
The former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss added that he had been impressed by Ozil’s performances last season for his club, and that his outstanding form at the World Cup removed any doubts in the manager’s mind over his ability. Ozil had been attracting the interest of English Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United. Barcelona had also been keen to recruit him, but their interest was ended after coach Pep Guardiola told the board that he didn’t need the player.
Ozil had less than a year to run on his contract and Bremen were looking to sell rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. Bremen chairman Klaus Allofs said on his club’s official website that: "We respect Mesut’s wish to take the next step in his career right now." In total, Ozil netted 13 goals in 60 matches for Bremen. It was his play in South Africa at the World Cup though which drew many eyes, as he was a major part of why Germany pulled out a third place finish.
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