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Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed how a Premier League regulation prevented Manchester United from completing his signing despite having a pre-contract agreement in place.

Mikel, who was highly rated as a teenager, was expected to join the Red Devils after turning 18, but the transfer collapsed due to a league rule governing the eligibility of foreign players. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, the former Chelsea midfielder disclosed that then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was keen on bringing him to Old Trafford.

“Fergie loved me. He would always pair me with Roy Keane because he thought Keane would protect me from the likes of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who were always tackling people in training,” Mikel said.

The former midfielder explained that the move was blocked by a Premier League regulation which required foreign players to have featured in at least 75 per cent of their country’s senior national team matches to qualify for a work permit.

“At the time, the rule required players to have represented their national team in at least 75 per cent of matches before being eligible to sign,” he stated.

Mikel added that Manchester United explored alternative options to secure his signature before his 18th birthday, but the plan could not be executed.

“The strategy was to get me in and out before I turned 18, but that wasn’t possible in my case,” he explained.

The midfielder eventually joined Chelsea in 2006 at the age of 19, following a well-publicised transfer saga. He went on to enjoy a highly successful spell at Stamford Bridge, spending nearly 11 years at the club.

During his time with the Blues, Mikel made 372 appearances, scored six goals, and established himself as one of Chelsea’s most reliable midfielders, winning multiple domestic and European trophies.

kopji007:
Cry baby. This guy is trying to be relevant again with his talk here and there

helinues:
How many years now has he stopped playing football? Why is he talking now?

wink2015:
He was afraid to talk then.

Talk was very expensive as at then.

But now talk is very cheap.

Pootle:
this guy keeps masturbating over this move

Naustine:
It's his story, are you suppose to be the one to tell it?

Pootle:
a forgotten story that is irrelevant to todays world

Tenses:
This guy is full of BS. He chose Chelsea because they offer him more money.

He made a right choice though. For whatever reasons Chelsea couldn't replace Essien who is the only DM that came close to makalele. So Mikel who originally wasn't a DM filled in adequately on that role.

At Manchester United he would have deployed as no. 8 his natural position and with how competitive and demanding that position is success would have been minimal. Strictly my opinion.

helinues:
How many years now has he stopped playing football? Why is he talking now?

Naustine:
Still doesn't change the fact that it's his story, he chooses when, how and where to tell it

Pootle:
only stories of the holy books can be repeated again again, the story, his story is now boring and useless, he should dig up something we dont know about his playing days rather than being obsessed about the same story

Naustine:
He is a media person now, he gets paid to talk. Grab a cushion and some popcorn, it's going to be a long ride bro

helinues:
How many years now has he stopped playing football? Why is he talking now?

uniquetechng:
Essien played alongside Mikel for 4 solid years before he was sent on loan, so there was never a time Mikel was deployed as a DM to fill the vaccum left by Essien.

Mikel was already playing alongside Ballack before Essien was signed two years later in 2008.

kopji007:
Cry baby. This guy is trying to be relevant again with his talk here and there

uniquetechng:
Essien played alongside Mikel for 4 solid years before he was sent on loan, so there was never a time Mikel was deployed as a DM to fill the vaccum left by Essien.

Mikel was already playing alongside Ballack before Essien was signed two years later in 2008.

Pootle:
a forgotten story that is irrelevant to todays world