Why Stroke City Made This Decision on John Mikel Obi's Contract

  

Stoke City have announced that Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club for another year.

“Contract extensions have been activated to retain the services of defender James Chester and midfielder John Obi Mikel,” reads a statement on the club website.

After leaving Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor early in 2020, Mikel found a new home at Stoke City and appeared to be back at his best for a significant part of the 2020/21 campaign.

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, aim to assist the club in achieving their primary objective of gaining promotion to the Premier League next season.

Stoke City finished the just-concluded campaign in 14th place with 60 points from 46 matches.