A former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi has joined English Championship side, Stoke City ahead of the 2020/2021 season.
The team confirmed the signing of the former Chelsea star on a free transfer on Monday.
“The [ex]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,” the club said on their website.
You see that quote on the left… just read it.
#SCFC ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/p45P8bNrQ1
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2020
EPL Dream
Mikel had in March left Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor and becomes the fourth signing for Michael O’Neill’s team.
According to O’Neill, Mikel has invaluable experience which would help the team, explaining that he was impressed with the Nigerian when he first met him.
“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 coach said.
‘Winning Mentality’
For the player, joining the Potters is the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one he hopes will bring a winning mentality.
“If I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, then I will be happy,” Mikel said.
️ “If I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, then I will be happy.”
#SCFC ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XlFoqT5SB0
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2020
During his stint with Chelsea, the former Lyn Oslo midfielder made 370 appearances for the Blues, and won three FA Cups, as well as landing the domestic league twice.
He also won the Champions League and Europa League with the London side before he left for Chinese Super League outfit, Tianjin TEDA in 2017.
The 2016 Olympics bronze medalist was to later return to England in a short-term deal with Middlesbrough in January 2019.
Mikel had 91 caps for the Super Eagles before his retirement from international football in 2019.
