Mario Gomez Leaves Besiktas After Failed Turkish Coup

Germany international Mario Gomez has announced he will not be returning to Besiktas following the failed military coup and ongoing political situation in Turkey.

The 31-year-old confirmed the news via his Facebook page on Wednesday, thanking the fans for the great reception he had in Turkey and acknowledging it was a "difficult decision:"

Gomez moved to Besiktas on loan from Fiorentina at the start of the 2015-16 campaign and rediscovered his best form after a difficult spell in Italy. He played a crucial role in Besiktas' run to the title and earned a spot in Germany's UEFA Euro 2016 squad as a result.

Along the way, he finished as the top scorer of the Turkish league, putting together some impressive statistics, per OptaCan:

DW Sports' Jonathan Harding wondered what's next for the veteran:

Gomez showed he's still a valuable attacking option during the 2015-16 campaign and Euro 2016, and in all likelihood, there will be a number of clubs interested in his services. He's not expected to stay at Fiorentina, where he never truly fit in and was hampered by injuries.

For Besiktas, the loss of Gomez is a major blow, as the German played an instrumental role in the club's first league title in seven years. It also might set a precedent for other foreign stars to leave Turkish clubs and escape the ongoing turmoil.

Turkey has been in a state of unrest since a failed military coup on Saturday, July 16, which led to the deaths of over 300 people.