Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi may quit Trabzonspor just two months after joining the club, reports from Turkey have revealed.
The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with an option of another year at the club in July, but has found it difficult adjusting to life in Trabzon, according to a source close to the player.
“There’s a lot of expectation from the club with regards to Mikel,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Sports Extra.
“And he is ready to play for the team despite the early pressure, but he wants his family around him, which he can’t do at the moment.”
Mikel, who has made four appearances since joining the club (two starts and two substitute appearances), is also unsettled following the decision of his partner, Olga Diyachenko, to stop visiting him in Turkey.
“Olga doesn’t like the city. She came visiting with the kids and they do not also like Turkey, which could now be a problem for Mikel,” the source further revealed.
Mikel, capped 89 times by Nigeria, helped the Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He also featured in two World Cups.
He made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, which ended when he left Stamford Bridge two years ago winning two league titles, three FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
He was also one of Nigeria’s three over-age players as the African side won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.