Real Madrid have confirmed on their official website that the club have signed 21-year-old German international Mesut Ozil from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a €15m fee.
World Cup star Ozil had been linked to a host of top European clubs, including Manchester United and Barcelona since refusing to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga side.
With one year until the attacking midfielder’s contract expired, Bremen have decided to cash in on their player instead of allowing him to become a free agent in twelve months.
Werder Bremen are in action in a Champions League qualifier with Sampdoria Wednesday night and had Ozil made an appearence, he would be ineligible to play in the competition for another club this season. Real play a final pre-season friendly tonight against Standard Liege at a sold-out Stade de Sclessin though it is thought Ozil’s first appearence could be in their La Liga season opener away to RCD Mallorca.
As Brazilian playmaker Kaka is currently sidelined with a knee surgery for two months, Ozil is expected to slot right into first season football with Los Merengues, where he will join a host of new players at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ozil’s signing now takes Madrid’s summer spending to €74.5 under new boss Jose Mourinho, following the signings of Sergio Canales (€4.5m from Racing Santander) Angel Di Maria (€25m from Benfica), Pedro Leon (€10m from Getafe), Ricardo Carvalho (€8m from Chelsea) and the player’s international teammate, Sami Khedira, a €12m signing from VfB Stuttgart.
