Nigeria Football Star John Mikel Obi joins Stoke City
33-year-old John Mikel Obi has joined Stoke City after reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Championship side.
He became a free agent after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent back in March.
The Michael O’Neill’s tutored side announced Mikel’s arrival — their fourth signing for the season — with a statement on Monday.
“John Obi Mikel is Stoke City’s fourth signing of the summer, the Club are delighted to confirm,” Stoke City statement read.
“The Nigerian international midfielder joins Morgan Fox, James Chester and Steven Fletcher in checking in at the bet365 Stadium ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season.”
After sealing the deal, Stoke boss Michael O’Neill said:
“I was really impressed with him when we met for the first time and he outlined what he wants from the next phase of his career.”
“We spent four hours talking and he made it clear he wants to get back into the Premier League and finish his career there and hopefully he can do that with Stoke City.”
The midfielder, who made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League, and Europa League. He also had a two-year spell at Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda, before joining Championship club Middlesbrough for a brief stint.
Mikel also won 89 caps for Nigeria, representing his country in the U17, U20 and U23. He partcipated in two World Cups tournaments and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, before announcing his retirement from international football last summer.
