Stoke City have released midfielder Jordan Cousins but John Obi Mikel and centre-back James Chester will remain at the Championship club in England.
Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel’s contract with English Championship side Stoke City FC has been extended as the club released a statement.
However, the 27-year-old Cousins was released by the Potters after he spent two seasons with them.
On the other hand, Stoke have announced that they have activated their option to hand the 34-year-old Nigerian midfielder a contract extension.
Mikel joined Stoke in August 2020 after leaving Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor on a mutual agreement.
The former Chelsea and Super Eagles star has become a key player for Michael O’Neill’s side featuring in 41 appearances across all competitions this season, in his return to England.
The Potters have now rewarded him with a contract extension:
“Contract extensions have been activated to retain the services of defender James Chester and midfielder John Obi Mikel,” a club statement read.
Stoke failed to gain promotion to the English Premier League as they ended the 2020-21 season in the 14th spot in the EFL Championship standings.
Mikel, who played 10 successive seasons in the Premier League for Chelsea, will be keen to help the Potters return to England’s top-flight next season.
The Jos-born player won two Premier League titles during his 11-year spell with the London giants.
In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, he featured in an impressive 91 games for Nigeria, scoring six goals.
