Mikel Completes Controversial Chelsea Move

Chelsea's Player
By Chris O'Brien
June 8 2006

As ManUtdWeb speculated weeks ago, the John Obi Mikel transfer merry-go-around is finally over. A financial settlement has been agreement between United and Chelsea, with the Red Devils scooping £12million and Mikel completing a move to Stamford Bridge.

As ManUtdWeb hinted weeks ago, the Jon Obi Mikel Saga is now officially over with Chelsea securing the signature of the Nigerian teenager and Manchester United pocketing a substantial fee in the region of £12million.

The 19-year-old has been involved in a much-publicised bitter dispute between Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge officials. The player, tracked by Sir Alex Ferguson for some time, signed a pre-contract agreement with United in April 2005 to join the club from Norwegian club Lynn Oslo. However, the youngster subsequently claimed he had been forced into penning the deal and wanted to sign for Chelsea instead.

"As a result of this settlement all claims in this matter, which Chelsea were never an official party to, are now withdrawn. The payments do not in any way imply the acceptance of any such claims and have been made solely so that Mikel can resume his career." read an official statement from Chelsea FC.

"United will support Chelsea in any work permit application, if necessary. All parties have agreed that there will be no further comment on the settlement or any of the allegations or claims."

The two clubs have now reached this financial agreement which seems to appease United and Chelsea. However, perhaps most bizarrely, United, whom Mikel never kicked a football for, have scooped three times as much money as the player's previous Scandinavian employers. Madness.