Ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel, 33, joins Stoke on free transfer after quitting Trabzonspor
JOHN OBI MIKEL has joined Stoke after completing his medical on Monday.
The former Chelsea midfielder, 33, is joins the Potters on a free transfer after leaving Trabzonspor earlier this year.
A picture of the former Nigeria international was doing the rounds on social media as he headed to the club’s Clayton Wood training ground on Monday morning.
He is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Championship club.
After his signing was announced, manager Michael O’Neill said: “We’re delighted to bring John to the club.
“His playing career speaks for itself and underlines his calibre as a player.
“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.”
Stoke fans already getting excited by his arrival.
One said: “John Obi Mikel is a very shrewd bit of business imho.”
Another wrote: “Iconic moment when John Obi Mikel signs.”
And a third added: “In a year we’ve gone from signing Jordan Cousins to signing John Obi Mikel. Did I hear someone say glow up?”
Reports over the weekend stated Mikel held talks with Michael O’Neill last week.
In their meeting, the Potters boss convinced the ex-Chelsea man to spend another season in the Championship as they push for Premier League promotion.
At one stage, Stoke were in a battle to avoid relegation to League One after an abysmal 2019/20 campaign.
They ultimately finished the season in 15th place, eight points above the drop zone.
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Mikel spent 11 years at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the League Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.
He left in 2017 for two years in China before returning to have a short stint at Middlesbrough but spent last season with the Trabzonspor before quitting over coronavirus fears.
Stoke have already secured the signings of Morgan Fox, James Chester and Steven Fletcher on free transfers as Michael O’Neill plots a major summer overhaul.