Having recently retired from professional football, Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel has insisted that choosing Chelsea over Manchester United is "the best decision I ever made in my life".
Last week, the 35-year-old announced his retirement from the sport after a well-travelled career spanning more than 15 years.
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The former central midfielder is mostly remembered for his successful 10-year spell at Stamford Bridge, where he won 11 trophies, including two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in the 2011/12 campaign.
However, prior to joining the Blues in 2005, Mikel looked set for a career at Old Trafford as he had initially signed a pre-contact agreeing to join United from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo.
Following a dispute between the two English rivals, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner opted for the London club instead, a decision he considers to be the best he made in his glittering playing career.
"I don't regret any decision I made because I enjoyed everything I achieved at Chelsea – it's the best decision I have ever made in my life," Mikel told BBC Sport Africa.
"I signed a pre-contract for Manchester United when I was 17.
"If you are a kid and you see Sir Alex Ferguson right in front of you with the contract, of course you will be tempted."
After his arrival at Chelsea, then-manager Jose Mourinho converted the former Super Eagles captain from an attacking midfielder to a more defensive and central position.
He played that role throughout his stint in west London, and although this is believed to have upset some Nigeria fans, the former Stoke City man insists he was happy with the Portuguese boss' decision.
"Mourinho decided that he wanted me to play the defensive midfield position," Mikel added.
"At the end of the day, he is the coach and made the decision.
"We discussed and he felt, because of the big midfield players he had in his squad at Chelsea, that I should play the defensive midfield role.
"[Claude] Makelele was just finishing his career at Chelsea, so Mourinho wanted me to take over from Makelele."
Mikel had a distinguished international career too, winning 98 caps with the Super Eagles, and counts his nation's 2013 Afcon triumph among his career highlights.
"I always wanted to win the Champions League because it is the best football tournament in the world apart from the World Cup," he continued.
"To then win something with the national team was great. As a kid watching the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha and [Nwankwo] Kanu, I said I want to win something with the national team.
"I am so happy to have managed to do that. I will rank both of them top as my most cherished trophies."
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Mikel is one of a few former EPL stars who recently announced their retirement from the game, including former Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and ex-Chelsea and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who confirmed this week that he will be hanging up his boots when the 2022 Major League Soccer season concludes.
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