Jubilation in Nigeria as Ozil names Super Eagles legend as his idol

Jubilation in Nigeria as Ozil names Super Eagles legend as his idol

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM

- Mesut Ozil has named Nigeria’s Jay Jay Okocha as his favourite player while growing up

- The German playmaker disclosed that he used to have Okocha’s No.10 jersey of Fenerbahce

- Okocha spent two years at the Turkish club where he scored 34 goals in 62 games

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Embattled Arsenal player Mesut Ozil has named former Nigerian international Austin Jay Jay Okocha as his idol while growing up.

The German star disclosed this during an interactive Q&A session with his followers on Twitter.

Ozil who was born in Germany to a Turkish family said that his favourite club was Fenerbahce as a young chap, where Super Eagles legend Okocha had spent two years.

Okocha who donned the clubs No.10 shirt during his stint with the club remains a clut hero thereafter scoring 34 times in 62 games.

He joined the Turkish outfit in 1996 from Dutch side Eintracht Frankfurt for about £1 million and following his success with Fenerbahce, PSG paid £14 million- an African record fee at that time- for his services.

The former Super Eagles captain also played for Bolton Wanderers, Hull City and Qatar SC before his retirement in 2008.

He earned 73 caps for Nigeria, scoring 14 times.

And during the 'Question and Answer session' with Ozil, a fan asked:

"What name and number were written behind the fb shirt you wore when you were younger?"

Ozil replied:

"Number 10 and Jay Jay Okocha."
Jubilation in Nigeria as Mesut Ozil names Super Eagles legend as his idol while growing up
Mesut Ozil says he Okocha was his favourite Fenerbahce player. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
Source: Getty Images

However, Mesut Ozil is reportedly edging closer to leaving Arsenal this window as negotiations with Turkish giants Fenerbahce reaches an advanced stage.

The German midfielder has been frozen out of the Gunners squad so far this term with Mikel Arteta refusing to register him for any competition.

Sources close to the player claim he has agreed to move to Turkey having six months left on his contract with the North Londoners.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Arsenal have reportedly concluded plans to terminate Mesut Ozil's contract barely six months before the expiration of his deal.

And they are willing to pay him a staggering £7.2 million severance package just to get him off their wage bill.

The German midfielder is the highest-paid Gunners star with £350,000-a-week wages but has failed to taste any competitive action this campaign.

Ozil has been linked with Turkish League giants Fenerbahce and other clubs around the world and he could join any team of his choice for free.

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Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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