Middlesbrough Reveal The Identities Of Two Big Clubs They Beat To Signing Of Mikel

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel's move to Middlesbrough is now done and dusted after he was unveiled by the EFL Championship club on Thursday following a successful medical.

Boro have confirmed on their official website that a host of European clubs including AS Roma and Wolfsburg as well as sides in the English top flight and the Championship were interested in signing Mikel, but the midfielder opted to join The Teessiders.

Apart from the Italian and German top flight teams, Fenerbahce in Turkey also explored the possibility of signing the Super Eagles star but they did not get a positive response.

Speaking at Friday's press conference, Boro boss Tony Pulis says he's delighted to have secured the services of John Obi Mikel ahead of other teams.

''He’s a winner. He’s had that experience and Chelsea won almost everything with him as part of the team,'' Pulis said.

"A good player, and a winner, and hopefully that rubs off on everyone around the football club.

"There were lots of other clubs interested, we spent a bit of time on it and we’ve convinced him it’ll be a good challenge for him.''

Mikel trained with his new teammates on Thursday morning and it remains to be seen if he'll make his competitive debut for Boro in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie against Newport County at the Riverside.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : mfc.co.uk