Chelsea Presses For Mikel Fees’ Repayment

11.10.2008

Chelsea has issued a High Court claim for £16m against FC Lyn Oslo and its former chief executive Morgen Andersen over the transfer of John Mikel Obi.

The Premier League club wants Mikel's transfer fee repaid after Andersen's criminal conviction in Norway.

Chelsea says the deal was based on the fraudulent misrepresentation that Mikel had an employment contract with Lyn.

In June 2006, it paid £4m to Lyn and £12m to Manchester United, which had a deal to sign Mikel in April 2005.

"At the time of the transfer, Chelsea, Lyn and Manchester United agreed that the fees paid would be in final settlement of the transfer, any claims related to it and that no further action or comment regarding the transfer would be made," Chelsea said in statement.

"Chelsea has written to Lyn to make clear that because the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law, the settlement previously agreed is not binding.

"Chelsea is in contact with Lyn and looks forward to working positively with them to resolve the claim promptly.

"Chelsea would like to make clear that this legal action is against Lyn and Morgan Andersen." United had claimed it had signed Mikel from Norwegian club, Lyn, but it later agreed to terminate its option agreement when the player made it clear he wanted to join Chelsea.

Andersen, who had previous convictions for forging official documents, was later convicted of fraud and making false accusations by an Oslo court.