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John Obi Mikel Posts Classy Message As He Leaves Chelsea For China

John Obi Mikel Posts Classy Message As He Leaves Chelsea For China

The Nigerian is leaving the club.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

John Obi Mikel is ending his 10-year plus association with Chelsea and has posted a classy message to the club's fans.

The Nigeria skipper joined Chelsea joined in 2006 after a controversial saga in which he had posed in a Manchester United shirt and him signing for Sir Alex Ferguson's side was pretty much a done deal.

Yet after bizarre claims from the Norwegian media that he had been kidnapped and claims from the man himself that he was pressured into signing for United, a tribunal took place and eventually he signed for Chelsea for £16 million, while United reportedly made £8 million for a player who never played for them.

Mikel Luiz
Mikel Luiz

Mikel then went on to win two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League with Chelsea.

Though there were reports that he was rejecting a move to China, the 29-year old, who didn't make a single appearance this term under Antonio Conte, has now confirmed he has signed with Tianjin Teda FC in the Chinese Super League.

In a heartfelt message to the Chelsea supporters, Mikel talked about his many happy memories at Stamford Bridge, paying tribute to everyone who was connected with Chelsea at one point and placing focus on that memorable night in Munich where the Blues won the Champions League on penalties.

His full message, posted on Twitter, reads:

Chelsea fans, are you said to see Mikel go or was it inevitable that he was surplus to requirements at the club?

He certainly won't be the last player to move to the Chinese Super League, with the way things are going.

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