Mesut Ozil has named former Nigerian international Austin Jay Jay Okocha as his idol while growing up.
The embattled Arsenal star disclosed this during an interactive Q&A session with his followers on micro-blogging website 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 cult hero there after scoring 34 times in 62 games.
Ozil: I Had Okocha’s Name And No. 10 Written On My Fenerbahce Jersey As A Kid https://t.co/NOZuHsbymm
— . (@CompleteSports) January 12, 2021
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?” He replied: “Number 10 and Jay Jay Okocha.”
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.
