Middlesbrough’s new midfielder John Obi Mikel has not been involved with the Nigeria set-up since last summer, but the national coach has given him hope.

Middlesbrough announced the signing of former-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel earlier on Thursday on a free transfer, with the Nigerian international penning a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The move brings an end to his two year spell in China, where the 31-year old played for Tianjin TEDA. The side based in Northern China finished just outside the relegation zone in both of Mikel’s seasons at the club, and it is reported he wanted to return to England.

Offers from the Premier League with Crystal Palace and a reunion with former-teammate Frank Lampard at Derby County were turned down to sign for Middlesbrough, with the promise of first-team football the deciding factor.

With Mikel presumably set to play a big part for Boro between now and the end of the season, the two-time Premier League winner will be hoping he can reignite his international career with the Super Eagles after not being involved with the Nigeria set-up since the World Cup last summer.

He captained the side in Russia last year, but he has not featured in the qualification rounds for the Africa Cup of Nations or in any friendlies since.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has had his say on Mikel’s recent move in an interview which appears on All Nigeria Soccer, and Rohr believes his hopes of playing for his national side could improve if he impresses on Teesside.

”I am happy for him he can find a good club again” he said. “Now, we will watch what he is doing, he needs a little time perhaps to come back into the rhythm of the matches. 

”We want him to come back to the national team like other players. If he is playing well with his new team, he stands a chance of coming back to us, but he has not told me he will quit the team.