"I greet and thank not only Fenerbahçe fans, but all of Azerbaijan," Mesut Özil, the new transfer of the Turkish club Fenerbahce, said at the presentation ceremony.
The 33-year-old midfielder also commented on his selection as the Combat Legionnaire of the Year in Azerbaijan as a result of a survey conducted by the Center for Sports Studies (CSS).
"Thank you very much for their support. I am grateful and send my greetings. If I have a chance, I will go to Azerbaijan and see my brothers there one day," Özil answered to a question from Elchin Jafarov of CBC Sport.
Mesut Özil defended Azerbaijan's interests in the Patriotic War, supported the propaganda, and thus ranked first in the CSS survey.