Ex-Chelsea star Mikel Obi joins Kuwait SC

Former Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel has secured a surprise move to Kuwait Sporting Club in the Kuwaiti Premier League. 

The 34-year-old ex-Nigeria captain mutually cancelled his one-year contract extension with English Championship club Stoke City on Thursday, July 1, 2021, to complete a move to the Asian country.

The 2013 Afcon-winning midfielder agreed to a new one-year contract with Kuwait SC. It includes an option to extend.

After the conclusion of the deal, he said: “I am very happy to sign for Kuwait SC, I thank the President of Kuwait SC for the trust that he has given to me to come to Kuwait,” Mikel said in a video posted on Kuwaiti’s Instagram page.

“I promise to be on my best level to help the team to make sure that together as a team we can achieve a great season next year and hopefully we can be successful.”

The deal takes Mikel back to Asia where he spent two years with Tianjin Teda after he joined the Chinese side following his departure from Chelsea in January 2017.

Since leaving Chelsea, Mikel had spells with Championship side Middlesbrough and Trabzonspor in Turkey before signing for Stoke City last summer.

He made 41 appearances and provided one assist for Stoke City as they finished 14th in the English Championship last season.

By Abdul Karim Adamu Benin | www.sportyafrica.com