Jubilation in Nigeria as Mesut Ozil names Super Eagles legend as his idol while growing up

• Mesut Ozil has named Nigeria’s Jay Jay Okocha as his favourite player while growing up
• The German playmaker disclosed that he used to have Okocha’s No.10 jersey of Fenerbahce
• Okocha spent two years at the Turkish club where he scored 34 goals in 62 games
  Embattled Arsenal player Mesut Ozil has named former Nigerian international Austin Jay Jay Okocha as his idol while growing up.

The German star disclosed this during an interactive Q&A session with his followers on micro-blogging website Twitter.

Ozil who was born in Germany to a Turkish family said that his favourite club was Fenerbahce as a young chap, where Super Eagles legend Okocha had spent two years.

Okocha who donned the clubs No.10 shirt during his stint with the club remains a clut hero there after scoring 34 times in 62 games.

He joined the Turkish outfit in 1996 from Dutch side Eintracht Frankfurt for about £1 million and following his success with Fenerbahce, PSG paid £14 million- an African record fee at that time- for his services.

The former Super Eagles captain also played for Bolton Wanderers, Hull City and Qatar SC before his retirement in 2008.

He earned 73 caps for Nigeria, scoring 14 times.

And during the 'Question and Answer session' with Ozil, a fan asked:"What name and number were written behind the fb shirt you wore when you were younger?"

He replied:"Number 10 and Jay Jay Okocha."

Mesut Ozil says he Okocha was his favourite Fenerbahce player. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane

However, Mesut Ozil is reportedly edging closer to leaving Arsenal this window as negotiations with Turkish giants Fenerbahce reaches an advanced stage.