2003: Mikel is spoted by United scouts and trains with the first team squad
August 2004: Mikel joins Lyn Oslo on a youth contract
2004/5: Mikel again trains with United
2005: Chelsea pay around £190k to TNG through Rune Hauge; Mikel and three other Nigerians join
2004/5: Mikel also trains with Chelsea while 'studying' at TNG school in Oslo
April 22nd 2005: Mikel turns 18 and signs a pro contract with Lyn
April 22nd-28th: Lyn cancel agent contracts signed by Mikel as a minor
April 22nd-28th 2005: Chelsea enter negotiations for Mikel; the bid is turned down by Lyn amid accusations of "arrogance" on Chelsea's part
April 22nd-28th 2005: United make bid for Mikel, which is accepted
April 29th 2005: Mikel signs a professional contract with United; a beaming player is interviewed on TV, complete with number 21 United shirt
April 30th-May 10th: Mikel receives death threats
May 10th: Mikel states on Norwegian TV that he is "delighted with United move"
May 10th: Mikel is taken by Shittu to a hotel; Lyn call the police
May 11th: Mikel states that he no longer wants to join United and that he'd been "forced into signing a contract" against his will
May 12th: Mikel flies into London
May 20th: BBC Newsnight's Michael Crick conducts interview with Mikel who again claims to have been forced into United deal; interview later proved to be with an imposter, probably John Shittu
June: Mikel takes part in FIFA World Youth Championship, Holland
July: FIFA rules Mikel's contract with Lyn to be legally binding September: Reports come out of Norway suggesting the player will eventually join United in January 2006