Africa's Young Player of the Year, John Obi Mikel, joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 in a complicated transfer settlement. It saw £12 million pounds paid to Manchester United and a further £4 million going the way of Mikel's former club in Norway, Lyn Oslo.

The 19 year-old Nigerian midfielder's standing as one of the brightest young talents in the game was confirmed at the African Cup of Nations earlier in the year when he impressed during three appearances for his national side, scoring one goal.

A powerfully-built young man, with exceptional ball skills, his senior international debut was in August 2005. Before that he had starred in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Youth Championships where he was voted the tournament's second best player as Nigeria made the final.

Following on from the transfer of Salomon Kalou the same summer, the arrival of Mikel confirmed Chelsea's determination to add exciting young talent as well as established stars to the squad.

The player had trained with Chelsea for one week in the winter of 2004. José Mourinho recalls the sessions.

He says: "Everybody was in love, not just me. The players were amazed at a young boy coming and training with us with such quality.

"Later we saw him in the African Cup of Nations playing like a giant. He was at an unbelievable level and we know what a player he can be."

Mikel made his Chelsea debut at the Community Shield game versus Liverpool in August.

This item comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Peter Kenyon.