The former Chelsea midfielder signed a short-term deal with Boro till the end of the season after terminating his contract with Chinese side, Tianjin Teda.

The 31-year-old made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell that saw him win 2 league titles, 3 FA cups as well as a League Cup crown.

Mikel was also successful with The Blues on the European front, winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League with the London-based side in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Despite featuring at two World Cups (in 2014 and 2018), the highly-decorated star was also part of Nigeria’s squad that won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

He reportedly attracted interests from Roma, Wolfsburg and Crystal Palace before joining Tony Pulis’side in a bid to be closer to his family.

“I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality,” Boro manger Tony Pulis told the club’s website.

“He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here to be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

Boro are currently placed 5th in the Championship table with 47 points from 28 games, and remain in the hunt for a place in the Premiership next season.