Mikel signs new Chelsea deal

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, committing his future to the English Premier League club until 2017.

The 25-year-old joined the west London outfit from Norwegian club Lyn as a teenager in 2006 for a fee of 16 million pounds.

Chelsea had to pay 12 million pounds in compensation to Manchester United, who had previously agreed a deal to sign the midfielder.

Since then, Mikel has gone on to make 261 appearances for Chelsea, winning four FA Cup medals, one Premier League title and the Champions League last season.

He was awarded Young Player of the Year in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

The defensive midfielder labelled Stamford Bridge as his ‘home’, and said he feels he is just hitting his ‘peak’ as he aims to secure more silverware with the club in the coming years.

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

“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.”