JOHN OBI MIKEL has confirmed his move to China in an emotional letter to Chelsea fans.
The 29-year-old says he still has “many years in the game ahead” but is delighted to join Tianjin TEDA at a time the Chinese Super League is “really taking off”.
Mikel spent ten years at Stamford Bridge, making 374 appearances and winning 11 trophies.
And he said it was an honour to play a part in a side that won the Premier League and Champions League with him at the heart of it.
Mikel wrote: “To play for Chelsea, to become part of the Chelsea family, to work with some of the best managers and players in the world, has truly been an honour.
“Every achievement I have been part of in my time at Chelsea holds a special memory: my first goal, against Macclesfield in 2007 (even though there were only five more after that!).
“Then there was Munich. We were desperate to make up for the disappointment of the 2008 final, but trailing with two minutes to go, against Bayern, in their own stadium, it seemed that once more luck was against us.
“But that night, with lions on our chest and the fans behind us, we fought.
“Up popped Didier, the rest is history, and to date we’re still proudly the only team in London with the European Cup.”
Mikel singled out the Blues faithful for praise, as well as owner Roman Abramovich.
He added: “To everyone at Chelsea – goodbye, and thank you. You will always be part of who I am, and I wish you the best of luck.
“I could not be happier to be saying goodbye with the club back where it belongs – top of the league.”
Mikel is thought to have signed a three-year deal worth £140,000-a-week in China.
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