Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has opened the door for a surprise move to African football after leaving Trabzonspor in protest of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder is now a free agent after leaving the Turkish Super Lig side by mutual agreement in March.
Having moved to Europe in 2004 with Lyn Oslo, via a brief stint with Ajax Cape Town, the 33-year-old has enjoyed a decorated career with 10 major titles to his name.
Mikel was recently released from his two year contract with Trabzonspor and he now says he would be open to playing for a team in Egypt.
He told ON Time Sports: “I never ruled anything out,” Mikel confirmed.
“My goal is to continue playing football, and I hope I will have the opportunity, I do not reject any offers made to me, but rather study them well until I make the right decision.”
@megasportsarena @bimadeola The only club John Mikel Obi will play for in the NPFL has to be the best team in the NPFL Enyimba Fc… That is if he chooses to play in the NPFL
— Chimaobi Victor (@chimas2010) June 11, 2020
Mikel left Chelsea after more than 10 seasons at Stamford Bridge. There, he made 374 appearances and won eight major domestic honours and two European trophies.
The 2013 Africa Cup f Nations winner went on to discuss his former Chelsea teammate Mohamed Salah, who’s moved on from his disappointing spell in London to become one of the greatest forward’s in Premier League history with Liverpool.
“When Salah came to Chelsea, he was a young boy, but he had a nice personality and everyone loved him, he was very disciplined,” Mikel explained.
“We were close friends, talking a lot and joking a lot, he was a good friend. I believed in his development, but frankly, I did not imagine that he would reach the quality that he has now.”
