OFFICIAL: Mikel Obi joins Middlesbrough on short term deal

Nigeria international, John Obi Mikel has signed for English Championship side, Middlesbrough after quitting Chinese Super League side, Tianjin Teda.

The Super Eagles captain signed for the English second-tier club on a short term deal that will keep him until the end of the season.

Mikel, 31, became a free agent in November after a two-year spell in China, and will boost the promotion chances of Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough coach, Pulis said in a statement: “I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality.

“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

Read Also: ‘It’s been a great tournament’ as Nadal reaches Australian Open final

Mikel, who spent 11 seasons at Chelsea, won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the League Cup at the club.

He also won both the Champions League and Europa League during his time in England.

Mikel’s new team, Middlesbrough are currently fifth in the Championship.

“For me it’s looking at the project,” Mikel stated at his unveiling ceremony.

“I spoke to a few clubs and I also spoke to Tony [Pulis], had a good chat with him.

“He’s told me where he wants to go with it and it definitely fits with what I want to do.

“The club wants to get promoted, so hopefully l, I’m here to help in any way I can.”

He added: “It’s a family club and this is what I want. I like stability and this is why I was at Chelsea for a very long time.

“We have to put our heads together and help each other.

“If anyone knows me from my years at Chelsea, I always played for the team. The team comes first and that’s exactly what I’m going to do here.

“Here is going to be a challenge, but I love challenges.”

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now