Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda, Reuters reported on Friday.


Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte’s side this season, had a medical in the port city some 130 kilometres from Beijing on Thursday and the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal on Friday.

The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn £140,000 ($173,432) a week in China, according to local media reports.

After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported €84 million ($87.65 million).

Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth €60 million.

Here's the letter he wrote;

https://mobile.twitter.com/mikel_john_obi/status/817272022409605120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

http://mojidelano.com/2017/01/breaking-mikel-obi-confirms-move-to-china-pens-heartfelt-letter-to-chelsea-fans/

I dont know about Nigerians



But i will personally miss you Bro!!





I dedicate this FTC to my brother from another mother ***JOHN OBI MIKEL


Enjoy Chinese Super League to the fullest!!!!

Wait....does that mean he has left Chelsea [color=#006600][/color]

Wait....does that mean he has left Chelsea




Modified


Pls stop quoting me na....y wld i use d above smiley if i didn't know the answer already... If you can't see d sarcasm in my statement....pls waka pass

sandrahnaub:
Wait....does that mean he has left Chelsea

Yes, he left yesterday.

Mikel should have joined real Madrid or barca

KTBFFH

Proudly Igbo

I love Mikel

wishing him the best

Ten & half seasons, 11 trophies.
So many Nigerians do not value you, but you're more successful than the likes of Steven Gerard whom they value so much

Well done Obi.........

sandrahnaub:
Wait....does that mean he has left Chelsea [color=#006600][/color]

No,he only traveled to China to scout for players.

its just sad.we at chelsea miss you and your goal drought

So touching! Wish you well

So finally he is about to go their.

ProfSamurai:
84 000 000 naira weekly

See mooooneeey!

I cannot coman be crying jare....

love you namesake

He has tried sha

that semi final against Barcelona and the final Against Bayern will not be forgotten. Thank you

ProfSamurai:
84 000 000 naira weekly

.jesu*

Mikel's achievements seem all the more significant when you consider the fact that he was probably one the few non-age cheats of his generation

Hmmmmmm.
Good bye

Congrats!

An ode to you, Mikel, our hero, a tenacious guy, meek win the race, the luckiest guy, a gallant money maker,a gusto in simplicity, the maker of achievement, the unending headache of haters. We love you and we will remember you always in Nigeria and Chelsea. Have a nice stay in China, continue making money until the world comes to an end

This letter touch me sha....but make dese chinese sign me as steward now, even if na to work for free for 3months

Never liked him..he was just a bench warmer

A week? How do these clubs get money?

iamkingzlee:
Yes, he left yesterday.

To jion Oscar , Tevez and others...

Candycrusher:
Mikel should have joined real Madrid or barca

*smh

Touching