Mikel Obi Announces His Retirement From Professional Football

Mikel Obi Announces His Retirement From Professional Football 

Sampson Adedeji

Former Nigeria's Super Eagles midfielder and captain John Mikel Obi has officially announced his retirement from professional football, BSNSports.com.ng has gathered.

The skilful midfielder started his professional career with Nigeria Professional Football League side Plateau United before joining Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2004 at the age of 17 years. 

In 2006, he made a controversial transfer to Premier League 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. 

He announced his retirement via his Instagram handle on Tuesday afternoon.

" There is a saying that " all good things come to an end" and for my professional football career, that day is today.

"I look back at the past 20 years of my career and I will say I'm very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped to shape.

"All would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, coaches, teammates and more importantly lot of fans.

"You supported me through my highs and lows even on the days I failed to live up to my expectations, I say a big thank you to you.

"I will also look to encourage everyone who, I may have inspired one way or the other in the course of my career to never give up on their dreams for every time you think about quitting remind yourself why you started. 

"This is not goodbye it's the start of another journey, another chapter of my life.

"I look forward to what the future holds and I hope you will walk with me, thank you", he wrote 

Mike made his debut for Nigeria's Super Eagles in 2005 against Libya in an international friendly and went ahead to make 91 appearances and scored six (6) goals for the national team.

His highest point in the national team was when the Super Eagles won the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa under the late coach Stephen Keshi.

Mikel also played two World Cups for Nigeria in 2014 and 2018 and is one of the few players who appeared for Nigeria at all levels of the national team.