Former team-mates hail ‘unique’ Ozil

Mesut Ozil’s former colleagues at Real Madrid have admitted their surprise and disappointment after seeing the Germany international complete a deadline day move to Arsenal.

Just hours after Madrid had finalised the world-record signing of Gareth Bale, it was confirmed the Spanish giants had agreed a €50 million deal with Arsenal for Ozil.

Having proven himself a valuable member of the Madrid squad since joining from Werder Bremen in 2010, it came as something of a shock that the nine-time European champions were willing to let the 24-year-old playmaker go.