Real Madrid have signed German World Cup playmaker Mesut Ozil from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around €15 million.
Werder turned down an offer which was described as “risible” by general manager Klaus Allofs last week but have now reached an agreement for Ozil.
Allofs said: “We are respecting the player’s wishes to take the next step in his career immediately.”
A statement on the Real website paid tribute to Ozil’s qualities.
“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,” read the statement.
Werder had opened up new contract talks with Ozil a year ago, but the player turned down the club’s final offer prior to the World Cup.
Earlier on Tuesday, Werder claimed they would play Ozil in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving him cup-tied, unless a deal was agreed in the next 24 hours.
“If a club is looking to sign Mesut to play Champions League, then that club needs to make a decision before Wednesday,” Allofs said. “If Mesut Ozil is a player of Werder Bremen on Wednesday, we are going to play him against Sampdoria.”
