Dhaka, March 23 -- Mesut Ozil has confirmed he has retired from football at the age of 34 with immediate effect.

The former Arsenal midfielder and Germany international had been playing for Turkish top flight side Istanbul Basaksehir since joining in the summer but has only made seven appearances for the club following injury problems.

Back issues have largely caused the the playmaker to feature in only 142 minutes of football this term having moved from Fenerbahce following 18 months at the club.

'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.'

Ozil left the Gunners in January 2021 having been frozen out by current boss Mikel Artet...