‘Boro count on Mikel’s experience

Middlesbrough says they are thrilled by the capture of Nigeria’s captain, Mikel Obi as they count on his experience on the pursuit of EPL slot.

On Thursday, the club officially announced the loan signing of the free agent after Mikel left Chinese club, Tianjin TEDA last November.

Manager, Tony Pulis told the club’s official website after completing a prized capture: “I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality.

“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here and a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

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Mikel is at home in England  being a two-time Premier League champion, three-time FA Cup winner and the owner of Champions League, Europa League and League Cup winners’ medals.

That considerable experience is now about to be added to the fold at the Riverside Stadium as he seeks to help Boro secure a return to the top tier in England.

Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has expressed happiness over Mikel’s move.

”We are very happy about it because he has not played for a long time, Obi Mikel is a player who is willing to play now and wanted to come back to Europe, his family is staying there,” Rohr said.

”I am happy for him he can find a good club again. Now, we will watch what he is doing, he needs a little time perhaps to come back into the rhythm of the matches.

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”We want him to come back to the national team like other players. If he is playing well with his new team, he stands a chance of coming back to us, but he has not told me he will quit the team.

”He remains the captain of the team till he says otherwise, we will be happy to have him back for his experience.”