Featured
Mikel Obi Complete Stoke City Move
…As Arsenal Signed Tim Akinola
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian international midfielder John Mikel Obi joins Stoke City ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season.
Mikel, who won a host of domestic and European honours during a glittering 11-year stay at Chelsea, returns to English football after a spell in the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor.
Manager Michael O’Neill said: “We’re delighted to bring John to the Club. His playing career speaks for itself and underlines his calibre as a player.
Mikel won 89 caps for Nigeria, playing in two World Cups and helping the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, before announcing his retirement from international football last summer.
Championship side Stoke won three of their last four games in 2019-20 to pull away from relegation trouble and finish 15th under former Northern Ireland boss O’Neill.
In a related development, Arsenal FC have completed the signing of youngster Tim Akinola – after breaking their ordinary transfer procedure.
Akinola, 19, was released by Huddersfield last month but has now been handed a surprise deal to link up with Arsenal ’s Under-23s.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal staff were so impressed with Akinola after video analysis that they broke their ordinary procedure of offering the youngster a trial to instantly offer him a deal.
The move comes as Arsenal place an increased focus on recruitment of ‘development players’ between the ages of 18 to 21 under the guidance of Per Mertersacker and Lee Herron, head of their talent ID department.
Raw winger Akinola, eligible to play for both Nigeria and England, only got into the academy system with Mansfield aged 16 before moving to Lincoln City in 2018/19.
Featured
President Tinubu Decries Violence In Rivers, Directs Police To Provide Security To LGA Offices
Joel Ajayi
President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.
He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.
President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.
While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions.
President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.
He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy.
According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.
-
Featured5 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured5 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured3 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
Featured5 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
News1 year agoJubilation In Kaduna As Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adam Winner Of Reps Election
