Ex-Nigeria international, Mikel Obi, has ended ties with Turkish club, Trabzonspor, by mutual consent.
His departure comes days after expressing his concerns about the Turkish Super Lig continuing despite the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Super Lig is one of a handful of leagues still ongoing, though behind closed doors.
The 32-year-old aired his disagreement with the policy on social media.
“There is more to life than football. I do not feel comfortable and don’t want to play football in this situation.
“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,” the former Chelsea player wrote on Instagram on Saturday.
A statement from the club said on Tuesday that Mikel’s contract has now ended and that he had given up his wages in order to become a free agent.
Mikel made the post a day before Trabzonspor’s game against Istanbul Basaksehir.
It received positive responses from two fellow Turkey-based former Chelsea players.
Galatasaray forward, Radamel Falcao, replied “you are right John”, while Didier Drogba said they were “words of wisdom”.
At the time of Mikel’s post, the number of coronavirus cases in Turkey stood at six. It has now jumped to 47.
The government has moved to contain its spread, closing schools and universities, holding sports events without spectators and halting flights to many countries.
