Midfielder Obi Mikel signs a new five-year contract to extend his stay at Chelsea until 2017

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea, the club announced yesterday.

John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea, the club announced yesterday.

The 25-year-old midfielder committed his future to the European champions until 2017 – something that would see him complete 11 years at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 after controversially pulling out of a move to Manchester United, told the club’s official website: “Chelsea seems like my home now because I have been here for over six years and I enjoy my time here.

“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.”

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Mikel has endured a rollercoaster season and still faces punishment from the English FA for confronting Mark Clattenburg in the referees’ room after Chelsea’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United in October.

Nigeria international Mikel was furious after being told he had been called a “monkey” by Clattenburg – something of which the official was last month cleared.

Mikel was a key player in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season and has also won one Barclays Premier League title, four FA Cups and a League Cup. However, he has not been universally appreciated among the club’s fans, partly because of his lack of goals – he has scored only twice.