Chelsea seal £16m Mikel transfer
Mikel has been the subject of a bitter transfer dispute
Chelsea have signed Nigerian youngster Jon Obi Mikel in a £16m
transfer.
Chelsea will pay £12m to Manchester United as well as £4m to
Norwegian club Lynn Oslo, who had reached a deal to sell Mikel to
United in April 2005.
The agreement resolves the future of the 19-year-old midfielder,
who has been the subject of a bitter dispute between the three
clubs.
United have agreed "to terminate their option agreement" with
Mikel, whose registration goes to Chelsea.
"Under the terms of this agreement, Chelsea will pay Manchester
United £12m, half payable now and half in 12 months, and Lyn £4m,
half payable now and half payable in 12 months' time," said a
United statement.
United thought they had secured Mikel's transfer from Oslo after he
signed a pre-contract agreement with them in April 2005.
But the Nigerian subsequently claimed he had been pressured into
signing the contract and wanted to join Chelsea instead.
A statement from Chelsea said: "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to, are now withdrawn.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.
"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
Another striker 
What's Jose thinking? a team
packed with strikers
