Mikel: At 15, I rejected briefcase filled with dollars to sign a football contract

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel says he was wooed by many football agents before he eventually joined Chelsea FC.

According to the midfielder, there was a particular agent who offered him $70,000 dollars but he rejected the deal.

Mikel, who was 15 years old at the time, says he was able to rise above the temptation despite the allure of the sum.

“I had agents promising me everything,” Mikel told The Sun.

“One approached me in the hotel with a briefcase full of cash. I can’t remember what club he claimed to represent – but I do remember the briefcase. It was crammed with $70,000 and he offered me that to sign some contract before adding: ‘Sign here and you’ll get a lot more’.

“I was tempted. I’d never seen so much money but I told the Nigerian FA secretary who was looking after me.

“He told me to ignore this agent but promised I would join the best club. After the tournament, I went home to my family and then saw the secretary again in Abuja.

“That’s when he told me: ‘You’re going to United. They want you and you’re leaving tomorrow’.

Mikel said his mother cried when his move to the English Premier League was eventually sealed, worrying that he was too young to go abroad alone.

“My dad was so happy but mum was crying because I was moving abroad at such a young age,” he said.

Mikel would, however, opt to join Chelsea, after he had been unveiled by United.