John Obi Mikel signs on for the next 5 years

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea, the club announced today.

The 25-year-old midfielder committed his future to the European champions until 2017, a deal that could see him complete 11 years at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 after controversially pulling out of a move to Manchester United, said: “Chelsea seems like my home now because I have been here for over six years and I enjoy my time here.

“I come into the training ground every day to work and I value my time there. I am happy and want to keep going and win trophies for this club.”

He added: “I have basically won everything with Chelsea and those years have been really special for me, winning trophies with big names like Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard who have had very long Chelsea careers.

‘Last season, to win the Champions League was even more special and I hope these next five years will bring even more success and I can win trophies with the new players we have here.

‘Being 25, I think I am now hitting my peak but as a player you want to improve every day and there is still room for that.

‘I want to learn from the players and the manager and I just want to keep going.’

Mikel is one of the most under-rated players in our squad. His job isn’t the most exciting but if you look at the stats, his pass and tackle success rate is incredible. He is played as a defensive midfielder and learnt from the best in Claude Makelele. Mikel is Chelsea through and through and will win many more trophies with the club.