Former Arsenal midfielder Mateo Guendouzi has joined Fenerbahce from Lazio. The Frenchman has penned a four-and-a-half year deal.
Guendouzi who was once tipped to play at the top for Arsenal move to Turkey in a deal worth up to £26m. The French international has made 15 Serie A appearances this season but Lazio had to cash in on a second player just days after selling striker Taty Castellanos to West Ham.
The 26-years-old midfielder joined Arsenal under Unai Emery when he was still a teenager. He made 82 appearances in two seasons for the club but was frozen out by Mikel Arteta after an altercation with Brighton’s Neal Maupay in a 2020 Premier League match.
Speaking after his switch to Fenerbahce was made official, he said: “I am truly very proud. I am very happy to be here today. I really wanted to be here. That’s why I’m so happy, this is a big day for me and my whole family. I’m enjoying this moment. I hope we will achieve great things together.
“First of all, I want to thank everyone who contributed to this transfer. Because it wasn’t an easy process. From the moment I first heard about it, I really wanted to come here and I did. I am very proud and Fenerbahçe is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a great history. Our president also told me about our club, our fans and our goals. I am very happy and excited to be here. I know our fans and the great atmosphere they create, I can’t wait to play my first match in front of them. I hope we will win victories and trophies together here.
“I want to thank our fans. Because I received many loving messages from them on social media. They can be sure that I will give everything on the field for them if necessary. I am always that kind of player. I hope we win the league championship together after 12 years. I hope we can achieve our goals together with our fans, our team, and our coach.”
Fenerbahce are second in the league table, three points off leaders Galatasaray. The addition of Guendouzi will add more quality to the side as they aim to win multiple trophies this season.
