Nigerian professional football player, John Mikel Obi has renewed his contract with the English professional club, Stoke City.
Naija News reports that the development was confirmed in a statement on the club’s website earlier today.
City revealed in the statement that contract extensions have been secured to retain the services of defender James Chester and Obi who plays for the club as a midfielder.
Recall that the Super Eagles star had left Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor in early 2020 to join Stoke City. After a year playing for Michael O’Neill’s side, Obi again proved his best and secured himself space with the club for another year contract extension.
The Potters did not make the Championship playoffs following their mid-table finish, but the club has seen enough of the retired Super Eagles star to keep him at the Bet365 stadium until the summer of 2022.
Mikel, a 2012 UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea, featured in 41 of the Potters’ 46 league matches and was one of manager Michael O’Neill’s first names on the team sheet.
The 34-year-old will, however, aims to assist the club in achieving their primary objective of gaining promotion to the Premier League next season.
Meanwhile, Laliga giants, FC Barcelona have recalled Brazilian professional defender, Emerson Aparecido Leite de Souza Junior, better known as Emerson.
Naija News understands that the 22-year left-back had been with Real Betis on loan from Barcelona. A statement from the club confirmed that the defender was expected at the Nou Camp on July 1, but he may yet be called into the Brazil squad for the Copa America.
He originally left Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro for Barcelona two seasons ago but was farmed out as a future prospect to Betis, with whom he enjoyed a run to sixth last season. Meanwhile, Barca is considering holding down its playmaker, Lionel Messi till next season.
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