John Obi Mikel

Factsheet

• Full Name: John Obi Mikel
• Date of Birth: 22 April 1987
• Born: Plateau State, Nigeria
• Former Clubs: Lyn Oslo, Norway; Plateau United,
• Nigeria; Pepsi Football Academy, Nigeria
• International: Nigeria; Nigeria U-20s; Nigeria U-17s
• Set to joins United on 1st January 2006

Timeline

• 2003: Mikel is spoted by United scouts and trains with the first team squad
• August 2004: Mikel joins Lyn Oslo on a youth contract
• 2004/5: Mikel again trains with United
• 2005: Chelsea pay around £190k to TNG through Rune Hauge; Mikel and
  three other Nigerians join
• 2004/5: Mikel also trains with Chelsea while 'studying' at TNG school in Oslo
• April 22nd 2005: Mikel turns 18 and signs a pro contract with Lyn
• April 22nd-28th: Lyn cancel agent contracts signed by Mikel as a minor
• April 22nd-28th 2005: Chelsea enter negotiations for Mikel; the bid is turned down by Lyn amid accusations of "arrogance" on Chelsea's part
• April 22nd-28th 2005: United make bid for Mikel, which is accepted
• April 29th 2005: Mikel signs a professional contract with United; a beaming
  player is interviewed on TV, complete with number 21 United shirt
• April 30th-May 10th: Mikel receives death threats
• May 10th: Mikel states on Norwegian TV that he is "delighted with United move"
• May 10th: Mikel is taken by Shittu to a hotel; Lyn call the police
• May 11th: Mikel states that he no longer wants to join United and that
  he'd been "forced into signing a contract" against his will
• May 12th: Mikel flies into London
• May 20th: BBC Newsnight's Michael Crick conducts interview with Mikel who
  again claims to have been forced into United deal; interview later proved to be
  with an imposter, probably John Shittu
• June: Mikel takes part in FIFA World Youth Championship, Holland
• July: FIFA rules Mikel's contract with Lyn to be legally binding
  September: Reports come out of Norway suggesting the player will eventually
  join United in January 2006