Former Super Eagles captain speaks on failed Old Trafford move despite pre-contract agreement

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel revealed on talkSPORT that he had actually signed a pre-contract agreement with Manchester United before turning 18 as he reflects back on the tuggle of transfer between the London based and Old Trafford club.

Manchester United bypassed his agents and convinced him to sign a four-year deal, expecting him to join in January 2006 but the transfer got more complicated after the Stamford Bridge club got involved, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

However, things took a dramatic turn. "When Chelsea saw the news of me signing with United," Mikel explained, "they weren't happy. They sent their representatives to Oslo to investigate the situation".

According to Mikel, this sparked a period of uncertainty. "They took me away from the club in Oslo and hid me for a few hours," he said. "Then, Chelsea flew me to London and kept me there for a while as well."

This entire ordeal lasted about a year while the transfer issue was resolved.

Mikel ultimately missed a year of football due to the situation before finally joining Chelsea in 2006 before he then went on to enjoy a lengthy spell at Chelsea as he remained at the club until 2017.

In total he played 372 times for Chelsea and scored six goals, while he won the Champions League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola