English Championship side, Middlesbrough FC have confirmed the signing of former Chelsea midfielder and Champions League winner, John Obi Mikel as a free agent from the Chinese Super League side, Tianjin Teda FC.
Middlesbrough who are looking for possible promotion into the Premier League, signed the Super Eagles of Nigeria National Team captain, John Obi Mikel who left Chelsea in 2017 for China, having played 400 games for the Blues, and spending two seasons with Tianjin Teda FC in the Chinese Super League.
John Obi Mikel returning to the English football even with all the hundreds of millions of pounds the Chinese League are willing to offer, to join Middlesbrough, clearly shows the League has never been a favourite place for players who really love the game.
The Super Eagles captain has been linked to a number of clubs both in and outside of England, but John Obi Mikel opted for Middlesbrough a championship side.
While reacting to the signing of John Obi Mikel, the manager of Middlesbrough Tony Pulis was delighted to be having him in his team, saying:
“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”
Mikel becomes the second addition of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Rajiv van La Parra on loan from Huddersfield earlier in the month. He will wear the number 2 shirt.
John Obi Mikel speaking on his arrival said:
“For me, it’s looking at the project,” he said.
“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, I’m here to help in any way I can.
“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.”
The player himself says that the team comes first.
“We have to put our heads together and help each other,” he said.
“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.”