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| John Obi Mikel in action for Nigeria's national team, the Super Eagles |
John Obi Mikel has
followed Chelsea midfielder Oscar to the Chinese Super League by leaving
Stamford Bridge on Friday to join Tianjin TEDA.
Associated
Press report continues:
The
defensive midfielder made over 370 appearances in his 10 1/2 years at the
London club but said it was time for a new challenge after not featuring this
season under manager Antonio Conte, who has guided Chelsea to the top of the
English Premier League in his first season in charge.
In
a letter to "my Chelsea family" on his Twitter page, the Nigeria
international said it was the right time to move with the Chinese Super League
"really taking off."
"As
you will know, I haven't featured as much this season as I would have liked,
and at 29 I still have many years in the game ahead of me," he wrote.
"To
play in the Premier League, the best league in the world, is every player's
ambition. But to play for Chelsea, to become part of the Chelsea family, to
work with some of the best managers and players in the world, has truly been an
honour."
Mikel
joined Chelsea at 19 from Norway's Lyn Oslo, and went on to win every major
honour, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions
League triumph of 2012.
Last month, Oscar moved to Shanghai SIPG for a reported £60 million pounds (US$73.5 million), reflecting the financial clout of Chinese clubs who have lured internationals such as Brazilians Hulk, Ramires and Paulinho, Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, and Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi.
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