Middlesbrough have moved closer to signing former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel.
The Nigerian international midfielder is understood to have passed a medical and agreed personal terms.
He visited Rockliffe for positive initial talks last week and has returned with a view to sealing the deal.
There is some fine-tuning to do before the move can be rubber-stamped but Boro are hopeful it can be concluded quickly.
The midfielder, 31, is a free agent after leaving Chinese side Tianjin Teda by mutual consent earlier this month.
He spent 11 years at Chelsea where he won a string of trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League, before moving to China in January 2017.
Mikel played for Nigerian at the World Cup in Russia last summer.
He is keen to return to England and has also been courted by top flight Crystal Palace and a couple of other Championship clubs.
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