Okocha pleased to be 'world star' Ozil's idol

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Jan 28, 2021. 12:00

Legendary Nigerian midfielder Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha says he is very pleased to be the idol of ‘world star’ Mesut Ozil.

This comes after the 32-year-old attacking midfielder described Okocha as the star he followed at Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the ’90s.

Ozil, who completed his transfer to Fenerbahce from English giants Arsenal on Wednesday, recalled wearing his no.10 shirt with Okocha’s name written at the back.

“About 20-25 years ago, I was an immigrant Turkish kid who was running after the soccer ball with the Fenerbahce shirt with the number 10 Jay Jay Okocha written on his back in the streets of Gelsenkirchen, thankfully, it was my honour to wear this jersey that I have been dreaming of for many years,” Ozil wrote on his official Twitter account.

Ozil fell out-of-favour at Arsenal following the arrival of Spanish manager Mikel Arteta and Okocha has backed the former Germany international to succeed at Fenerbahce.

“I was very happy. I did not know about the last tweet Mesut Ozil posted. It is very pleasing to be the idol of such a world star player, to inspire him,” Okocha told Goal.

“Mesut is a world-class player. It is a very good thing [for him] to come to Fenerbahce. I think he will definitely be successful in Fenerbahce.

“Mesut’s career is similar to mine; we both played in Germany and England and he came to Fenerbahce like me now. I am very happy.”

Okocha helped Fenerbahce clinch the Prime Minister’s Cup and Atatürk Cup during his three-year stint with the Istanbul-based side.