BORDEAUX, FRANCE - JULY 02: Mario Gomez of Germany runs with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Germany and Italy at Stade Matmut Atlantique on July 2, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Germany striker Mario Gomez is leaving Turkish club Besiktas due to the political instability the country is facing after a failed coup attempt.
The 31-year-old former Bayern Munich and Stuttgart star joined the Istanbul club on loan from Fiorentina last summer, but has announced on his Facebook page that he will not be returning next season.
On Friday, a failed coup occurred in Turkey with 161 civilians and police killed. About 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended, detained or are under investigation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a three-month state of emergency.
“It’s purely down to the terrible events in the last few days. I hope you can understand that,” said Gomez.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
“There are no sporting or any other reasons that have made me make this decision,” he added on Facebook.
Gomez’s season-long loan agreement last year included an option to make the deal permanent.
“It was a difficult decision that I had to think about a lot,” he said.
“I have to tell you Besiktas fans personally that it is very heavy for me that I will not be playing for this great club in front of you wonderful fans in this unique stadium anymore.”
The German then continued: “A huge thanks to the club, to you fans and to all the people with whom my family and I had a lot of wonderful times.
“It was a fantastic year with the championship providing the absolute highlight. I hope that these political problems can be solved in a peaceful manner soon.”
Gomez represented Germany at Euro 2016, and scored twice before they were eliminated by hosts France in the semifinals.
The striker also scored 26 league goals last season as he helped Besiktas win the Turkish league.
Gomez missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup because of persistent injury problems.
BORDEAUX, FRANCE – JULY 02: Mario Gomez of Germany runs with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Germany and Italy at Stade Matmut Atlantique on July 2, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
On December 31, 2008, former NBA star Charles Barkley was arrested on suspicion of driving…
A sideline clash between Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf and a front-row fan at Ford…
Caitlin Clark has become the face of the new era in the WBNA, and now,…
On May 16, 1994, former tennis star Jennifer Capriati was arrested and charged with a…
Last week, news broke that Adam Thielen wants out of Minnesota, leaving the Vikings fanbase…
On December 3, 1998, pro wrestling star Paul Wight, who's better known as The Big…