Midfielder John Mikel Obi has left Chelsea to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA.
John Mikel Obi pens open letter to Chelsea fans as he heads to Chinese Super League: 'I say goodbye as a champion of England and Europe'
- Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is the latest star to move to China
- Mikel is set to earn £140,000 a week playing in the Chinese Super League
- 29-year-old has joined Tianjin TEDA after losing place in Chelsea's first team
- Mikel won the Champions League and two Premier Leagues with Chelsea
John
Mikel Obi admits it has 'truly been an honour' to play for Chelsea as
the Nigerian midfielder penned an open farewell to fans after bringing
his 10-year stay at the club to an end.
The 29-year-old departed the club on Thursday after sealing a move to Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin TEDA.
A
picture was shared on Chinese website Webo of Mikel shaking hands with a
Tianjin club official and holding the club's shirt as he became the
latest Premier League player to move to the far east.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has become the latest star to move to China
Mikel is set to earn £140,000 a week playing in the Chinese Super League for Tianjin TEDA
Mikel (centre left) celebrates winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012
In
an open letter shared on his Twitter account, Mikel shared memories of
his greatest achievements in 10-trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge.
He
wrote: 'To play in the Premier League, the best league in the world, is
every professional player's ambition. But to play for Chelsea, to
become part of the Chelsea family, to work with some of the best
managers and players in the world, has truly been an honour.
'Every
achievement I have been part of in my time at Chelsea holds a special
memory: my first goal, against Macclesfield in 2007 (even though there
were only five more after that!).
'The
nail-biting end of the 2010 season - securing the title on the last
day, scoring a record 103 goals in the process, and winning the FA Cup a
week later. Didier's extra time winner against Manchester United in the
2007 FA Cup Final.
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