While under contract, John Obi Mikel has left English Championship side. The former Nigeria captain has dumpted Stoke City for Asian club Kuwait SC.
The Kuwaiti Premier League club announced the signing of the experienced central midfielder from Stoke on Thursday.
Nicknamed the Brigadiers, Kuwait revealed that Mikel has signed a one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2021/22 campaign.
“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 official Twitter 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.”
Mikel has become the fifth African player on the books of Kuwait – joining Morocco’s El-Mehdi Barrahma, Tunisia duo Ahmed Akaichi and Rami Bedoui, and Mali’s Abdulwahid Sissoko.
The 34-year-old player’s transfer to Kuwait has come as a surprise. Because the Potters announced that they have activated their option to hand the former Chelsea FC star a contract extension.
Mikel was a key player for Michael O’Neill’s side featuring in 41 appearances across all competitions.
He scored six goals in 91 matches for Nigeria before retiring from international football in 2019.