Rohr says Mikel will captain Eagles to Nations Cup despite joining English Championship side Middlesbrough

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that Mikel Obi will still captain the team to this summer's African Cup of Nations in Egypt despite joining English Championship side Middlesbrough.

Earlier today, Boro unveiled Mikel as their latest signing as the club seeks to return to the English Premiership next season. Mikel, 31, had become a free agent after terminating his contract with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda at the end of the year and several European clubs were looking to sign him.

After extensive negotiations with several sides, Mikel opted for Boro, mainly because he wanted to stay in the UK close to his family and they were the only club that met his salary demands. Boro manager Tony Pulis said Mikel is the club's second acquisition during the January window after Rajiv van La Parra joined on loan from Huddersfield earlier in the month,

Mr Pulis added: "I'm pleased to get him in as he is a man with a lot of experience and quality. He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve."

Reacting to the move, Mr Rohr said Mikel will captain the national team during the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, unless he makes a formal request to leave the national team. He added that the midfielder not only remained an integral part of his team but the leader as well.

Mr Rohr said: “We are very happy with the news about Mikel joining Middlesbrough because it has been a long time he played last for our team but he is a player who really wants to play. He wishes to return to Europe to be with his family and find a good club, which he has done, so right now, he needs more time to be back in the team because we have yet to see him after the World Cup.

“We want him to come back to the national team like other players and 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."