Official: Super Eagles midfielder Mikel departs J1 League club

Through official channels, Japanese J1 League club Shonan Bellmare have announced the departure of Nigeria international Mikel Agu. 

The defensive midfielder joined Shonan Bellmare last summer on a two-year deal. 

His time at Shonan Bellmare was marred by injuries, and he is leaving the club with just one appearance to his name which came in an Emperor's Cup match versus BTOP Hokkaido on June 7.

Overall, the combative midfielder missed a total of twenty three games across all competitions due to injury, comprising seventeen in the J1 League and six in the League Cup. 

On his curriculum vitae, the Benin City-born player wore the jerseys of  Club Brugge, Vitoria FC, Bursaspor, Vitoria Guimaraes and CF Fuenlarrada in the past. 

In his parting words to Shonan Bellmare fans, Mikel said: "I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the Shonan supporters.

"Even though I didn't have many opportunities to play in matches, I felt the deep affection of the supporters from the bottom of my heart. I am very grateful for that.

"Ever since I became a professional soccer player, I have never felt so much love from the supporters."

A product of BJ Foundation Academy, Mikel was named in Nigeria's provisional squad to the 2018 World Cup. 

The 30-year-old has seven international caps for the Super Eagles, the last of which came against Algeria in a friendly on October 9, 2020.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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