Turkish soccer giants Fenerbahçe asked fans for a helping hand to alleviate the cost of signing star midfielder Mesut Özil.
The footballer earned over $20 million with Arsenal last season while mostly sidelined. Özil is reportedly taking a significant pay cut with his new club.
Fenerbahçe president Ali Koc solicited donations via text message to help cover Özil’s contract.
- “We have a request for our fans,” Koc wrote, according to The Wall Street Journal. “Please continue to support us, we are also dependent on your financial support.”
- Like most professional sports teams, Fenerbahçe’s pandemic-related revenue losses are significant. The club is currently about $630 million in debt.
- Supporters were asked for about 3 euros, with the club eyeing “several million” donations.
Fenerbahçe has asked fans for funding over text in the past, and Özil’s signing presented a new opportunity to revisit the tactic.
The club has a history of instability. UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, sanctioned it in 2019 for violating financial rules.
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view inside the stadium before the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26635123_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC defender Reece James (24) lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates as U.S. president Donald Trump after the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26637216_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
