We take a closer look at the career so far of our fourth summer signing
The midfielder has won a host of major honours at club level
He was a also a key figure for Nigeria, winning more than 90 caps++
John Obi Mikel boasts an illustrious footballing CV as he begins the next chapter of his career at Stoke City.
The 33-year-old Nigerian arrives at the bet365 Stadium having built a reputation as a solid defensive midfielder during his 11-year period at Chelsea.
Arriving at Stamford Bridge as an 18-year-old in 2006, Obi Mikel played an instrumental part in the London club’s pursuit of silverware.
He won nine major accolades during his time in the capital which included two Premier League titles, three FA Cup winners’ medals and a League Cup triumph domestically.
His biggest honour to date came in 2012 as Chelsea lifted the Champions League for the first time in their history following a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win against Bayern Munich.
Obi Mikel described that famous win as ‘the best night of my life’, following a heroic individual performance that earned him praise from a number of pundits.
Born in Jos, Nigeria, the midfield man possesses a strong minded and winning mentality that has earned him such a successful career that began in Norway with third division minnows Lyn.
His reputation was quickly noted by a number of clubs including Manchester United before he opted to make Chelsea his destination in England, where he also won the Europa League in 2013.
As well as flourishing club career, Obi Mikel was also a firm favourite on the international stage with Nigeria, scoring six goals in 91 appearances and lifting the African Cup of Nations prior to his retirement last year.
After making 372 appearances at Stamford Bridge, he joined Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda before returning to these shores with a short-term spell at fellow Championship side Middlesbrough.
He made 19 appearances in Teeside but was released at the end of the 2018/19 season, enabling him to return abroad with Trabzonspor, playing alongside a familiar face to Potters fans in Badou Ndiaye.
Adding a Turkish Cup to his personal silverware cabinet, he mutually departed the club amidst the global Coronavirus pandemic and signs for City ahead of the 2020/21 campaign under manager Michael O’Neill.
