John Obi Mikel has been included in Stoke City’s side for their opening Championship game of the 2020-21 season against Millwall on Saturday.
The 33-year-old returned to England, signing for the Bet365 Stadium outfit in August as a free agent after mutually parting ways with Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor.
The former Nigeria international delivered convincing showings in Stoke’s pre-season games against Leeds United, Shrewsbury Town and Newcastle United.
The versatile midfielder has subsequently been handed a starting role against Gary Rowett’s men at The Den.
Mikel made his name during his time with Chelsea, where he spent 11 years and won a number of accolades including the Champions League, Premier League and Europa League titles, among others.
Besides playing for Chelsea, Mikel has also featured for Lyn Oslo, Tianjin TEDA and Championship club Middlesbrough.
The former Plateau United made 19 Super Lig appearances for Trabzonspor before his departure from Turkey.
The 33-year-old made 91 appearances for the Nigeria national team before he retired from international duty after helping the side finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The midfielder also featured prominently as the Super Eagles won their third continental title in 2013 in South Africa and captained the Nigeria side that won the 2016 Olympic bronze medal.
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