Mesut Özil has announced his retirement from professional football, citing his injury struggles after nearly 17 years in the game.

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (R) and Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil smile as Arsenal players celebrate their victory over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. Aaron Ramsey scored a 79th-minute header to earn Arsenal a stunning 2-1 win over Double-chasing Chelsea on Saturday and deliver embattled manager Arsene Wenger a record seventh FA Cup. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS
Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger (R) and Arsenal’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil smile as Arsenal players celebrate their victory over Chelsea in the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017 / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

Writing on Twitter, Mesut Özil confirmed that he is immediately retiring from professional football. The former Arsenal midfielder mentioned his recent injury struggles as part of the reason for his decision.

“Hello everyone,” Özil wrote. “After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football.

“I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.

“But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.

“It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions.

“I want to thank my clubs – Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, plus teammates who have become friends.

“Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad.

“Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.

“Now I’m looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela – but you can be sure that you will hear from me from time to time on my social media channels.

“See you soon, Mesut!”

Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 7, 2020.
Arsenal’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 7, 2020. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Özil played 254 games for Arsenal, more than for any other club, featuring in the FA Cup-winning runs in 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016/17, and 2019/20.

He also won the Community Shield with the Gunners, and finished as a runner-up in the League Cup and the Europa League.

Away from Arsenal, Özil won the German Cup with Werder Bremen, and La Liga, the Supercopa de Espana, and the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid.

Most notably, the playmaker won the World Cup with Germany in 2014.

But in recent times, Özil had struggled to play as much of a role on the pitch. The 34-year-old had made just eight appearances this season for Basaksehir, playing 187 minutes on the pitch, amid a spate of injury setbacks.

Now seems like the right time to bring an end to Özil’s playing career, and we’ll see what’s in store for him next.