Spanish international praises departed German counterpart.
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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has spoken of his disappointment that playmaker Mesut Ozil has decided to leave los Blancos and join Premier League side Arsenal this season, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
The coveted Germany international completed a £42.5 million move to the Emirates in the final hours on transfer deadline day, making him easily the most expensive player in the Gunners’ history.
However, Madrid vice-captain Ramos has said that if he were in charge of transfers at the Santiago Bernabeu, then the 24-year-old would not have been allowed to leave the Spanish capital this summer.
“It’s obvious that he is a special team-mate and friend,” said Ramos, who is currently away on international duty with the world and European champions.
“I’ve always had a real ‘feeling’ with him, and it’s a shame. He’s a great footballer, unique.
“Everyone is free to choose the best for themselves, but if I were to decide what was happening at Madrid he would be one of the last who would be going.
“But he has decided, and the club too. We have a great team and I hope it will be a big year [for us].”
Ozil spent just three campaigns with the Spanish giants after arriving at Real from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen in the summer of 2010 for a fee of €15m.
And in his thee-year stay at the White House, the twinkle-toed attacking midfield player managed to find the back of the net on 27 occasions in total in his 159 appearances for the Spaniards, including 19 strikes in his 105 Liga outings.
However, after being made aware of Madrid’s desire to offload him, Ozil decided to end his career at the club on Monday by agreeing a five-year contract worth a whopping £200,000 per week with the north Londoners.