Nigerian skipper, Mikel Obi has made his debut for his new club, Middlesbrough few days after he was signed on a short term deal. He made the starting lineup in last Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Newport County. He was assigned Jersey number 2.
The match ended 1 – 1, meaning both clubs will be geared for a replay. Mikel got to the pinnacle of his career at Chelsea, playing for eleven years with about 400 caps in tow and numerous titles including two Premier Leagues and a Champions League.
The Nigerian international was Middlesbrough second signing of the season in the January transfer window after the arrival of Rajiv van La Parra who’s on loan from Huddersfield. Manager, Tony Pulis was delighted on his arrival saying, “He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”
“I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality”, he said. Mikel Obi is the fifth Nigerian player to play for Middlesbrough, following the footsteps of Bartholomew Ogbeche, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Carl Ikeme, and Kenneth Omeruo.
