Former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has quit Turkish football club Trabzonspor, the team said, after the former Chelsea midfielder said he did not want to play as the new coronavirus spread worldwide.

"The contract has been ended by mutual agreement with John Obi Mikel," Trabzonspor said in a statement late Tuesday.

The deal between the player and the team had begun on June 30 last year and was meant to last until May 31, 2021.

He criticised the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) move to let Super League matches continue without spectators, unlike in other countries where games have been suspended.

"There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don't want to play football in this situation," Obi Mikel wrote on Instagram on Saturday.

"Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times," he added.

The 32-year-old played for Chelsea for over 10 years. He retired from international duty after last year's Africa Cup of Nations after making 89 appearances for Nigeria.

The TFF on Tuesday rejected growing calls for matches to be suspended.

Among those opposed to any delay of Super League matches is Trabzonspor chief Ahmet Agaoglu who said any decision to cancel would lead to a rise in divorces.

Trabzonspor -- one of the major non-Istanbul-based clubs -- are currently at the top of Turkey's Super League.&nbsp;

Turkey confirmed its first novel coronavirus-related death on Tuesday as the number of cases in the country rose to 98.

Former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has quit Turkish football club Trabzonspor, the team said, after the former Chelsea midfielder said he did not want to play as the new coronavirus spread worldwide.

Former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has quit Turkish football club Trabzonspor, the team said, after the former Chelsea midfielder said he did not want to play as the new coronavirus spread worldwide. "The contract has been ended by mutual agreement with John Obi Mikel," Trabzonspor said in a statement late Tuesday. The deal between the player and the team had begun on June 30 last year and was meant to last until May 31, 2021. He criticised the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) move to let Super League matches continue without spectators, unlike in other countries where games have been suspended. "There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don't want to play football in this situation," Obi Mikel wrote on Instagram on Saturday. "Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times," he added. The 32-year-old played for Chelsea for over 10 years. He retired from international duty after last year's Africa Cup of Nations after making 89 appearances for Nigeria. The TFF on Tuesday rejected growing calls for matches to be suspended. Among those opposed to any delay of Super League matches is Trabzonspor chief Ahmet Agaoglu who said any decision to cancel would lead to a rise in divorces. Trabzonspor -- one of the major non-Istanbul-based clubs -- are currently at the top of Turkey's Super League. Turkey confirmed its first novel coronavirus-related death on Tuesday as the number of cases in the country rose to 98.

Footballer John Obi Mikel leaves Turkish team over coronavirus fears

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Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda.

Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte&#39;s side this season, had a medical examination in the port city, 130 kilometres from Beijing as the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal.

The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn $173,432 a week in China, according to local media reports.

After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported $87.65 million. Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea. Elsewhere in Europe, Serbia midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, moved to Tianjin from Dutch club Ajax.

At the end of December, Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s agent had said the World Player of the Year had turned down the chance to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Chinese club for a transfer fee of $315.24 million.

Amid the spending spree, the country&#39;s General Administration of Sport described the excess of some Chinese clubs as &quot;a grave phenomenon&quot;.

(Reuters)

John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the latest big name player to join the Chinese Super League gold rush after leaving Chelsea for Tianjin Teda. Mikel, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte's side this season, had a medical examination in the port city, 130 kilometres from Beijing as the Asian Football Confederation confirmed the deal. The 29-year-old, who spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, was given a free transfer by the London club and will earn $173,432 a week in China, according to local media reports. After joining Chelsea in 2006, Mikel was part of a squad that won a Champions League crown, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups. Chinese clubs have made several high-profile signings over the last month with Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moving to Shanghai Shenhua for a reported $87.65 million. Less than a week later, Brazilian midfielder Oscar joined local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea. Elsewhere in Europe, Serbia midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, moved to Tianjin from Dutch club Ajax. At the end of December, Cristiano Ronaldo's agent had said the World Player of the Year had turned down the chance to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Chinese club for a transfer fee of $315.24 million. Amid the spending spree, the country's General Administration of Sport described the excess of some Chinese clubs as "a grave phenomenon". (Reuters)

Chelsea's Mikel joins Chinese Super League

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Footballer John Obi Mikel leaves Turkish team over coronavirus fears

Chelsea's Mikel joins Chinese Super League