John Obi Mikel signs new five-year contract with Chelsea

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Chelsea until 2017.

Mikel made his Chelsea debut as a 19-year-old in August 2006 and has gone on to make 261 appearances, 213 as a starter and has scored twice for the west Londoners.

“Chelsea seems like my home now because I have been here for over six years and I enjoy my time here,” Mikel told Chelsea’s website.

“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.”

Mikel was close to a move to Manchester United before opting for a switch to Stamford Bridge from Norwegian side Lyn.

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,’ he added, ‘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.”