Former Super Eagle Captain and Chelsea football player, Mikel Obi, has announced that he is retiring from his professional football career after 20 years of playing locally, nationally and internationally.

Obi took his social media handle on Tuesday, 27th September, 2022, to make the announcement of his retirement to his fans and followers, where he said; “All good things must come to an end”.

“There is a saying that “all good things must come to an end”, and for my professional football career, that day is today” he wrote.

He also appreciated his family, managers, clubs, coaches, teammates, and ever-loyal fans who supported him throughout his career and encouraged everyone who has been inspired by him never to give up on their dreams.

Former professional footballer, Mikel Obi

Mikel John Obi is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Mikel began his career with local club Plateau United, before joining Norwegian club Lyn at the age of 17 in 2004.

In 2006, he made a controversial transfer to English club Chelsea after Manchester United claimed they had already signed him. He stayed with Chelsea for 11 years, before moving to China with Tianjin TEDA in 2017. After two years in China, he returned to England on a short-term deal with Middlesbrough, before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in July 2019. Mikel moved back to England in August 2020 joining Stoke City. In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, he played 91 times for Nigeria, scoring six goals.

The 35-year-old enjoyed enormous success during his 11-year stint at west London as he amassed a total of six goals and 13 assists in 372 appearances. He won two Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies, the 2007 League Cup, and the 2013 Europa League. He was also part of the Chelsea team that won the Champions League trophy for the first time in 2012.

Story: Asma’u Sani

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