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. E s 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.
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