John Obi Mikel has signed for Stoke City on a one-year deal.
The former Chelsea and Middlesborough man joined the Championship side following a spell playing in Turkey with Trabzonspor. He left the Turkish club in March by mutual consent.
The former Nigerian international is the fourth signing that Stoke has made this summer.
Signing #⃣4⃣
John Obi Mikel is Stoke City’s fourth recruit of the summer.#SCFC 🔴⚪️— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2020
Stoke manager Michael O'Neill was keen to highlight the experience that Mikel could offer as the club look to make a return to the Premier League.
"We're delighted to bring John to the club. His playing career speaks for itself and underlines his calibre as a player," O' Neill said in a statement announcing Mikel's arrival at Stoke.
"I was really impressed with him when we met for the first time and he outlined what he wants for 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."
🗣️ "If I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, then I will be happy."
👊 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝗢𝗕𝗜 𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗟#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XlFoqT5SB0— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2020
The 33-year-old midfielder won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one European Cup during his time at Chelsea.
Upon joining, the Potters Mikel indicated that he hopes his experiences of winning trophies in the past can have a positive effect on the culture at Stoke.
"How can I help them [the team] during difficult times? If I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, then I will be happy," he said in an interview with Stoke City media team.
After ten years in the top flight, the club were relegated to the Championship in 2018. They had a disappointing campaign last time out and finishing in 15th place in the table, well behind rivals West Brom who were promoted to the Premier League.
Having come into the club last November, O'Neill will look to push on as the league resumes on September 12th.
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