Nigerian John Obi Mikel celebrates scoring for Chelsea last season. PHOTO/File
LONDON, August 31- Chelsea footballer John Obi Mikel has a secret son and daughter by two different women living in the UK, it has been claimed.
According to the Sun on Sunday, Mikel, who lives in Oxshott, Surrey, bought a £500,000 detached property in the Home Counties for his son and the boy’s mother.
His daughter and the girl’s 23-year-old mother are said to live in the South of England – but the two women reportedly do not know about each other.
The Sun on Sunday quoted a source as saying Mikel met his son’s mother at a party in London.
After she gave birth, the source said, Mikel ‘agreed to give her tens of thousands a year in upkeep’ and ‘agreed to give her a new car every three to five years.’
“He said he wanted to play a role in the boy’s life. He and the mum are on friendly terms and she doesn’t harbour any bad feelings towards him, perhaps because he’s looked after her so well.”
The Nigeria international, who earns £80,000 (Sh12.816m) a week at Chelsea, is providing for the two children, it has been claimed.
Mikel, who has made 64 appearances for his country, is said to have met his daughter’s mother at a nightclub in 2013. She reportedly gave birth last year.
The newspaper quotes a friend of the girl’s mother as saying that Mikel has ‘provided’ for the woman and their child.
The friend said: “She is not from a well-off family and does not now earn much, but she drives around in a new car. She seems to have come into money since having the baby and is keeping a low profile.”
Mikel, whose team lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, is currently in a relationship with the Russian businesswoman Olga Diyachenko.
In an interview in Nigeria in 2014, he said: “I’ve been dating seriously for two years now. I’m in love. I’ve found love.”
Last week it was reported that Turkish club Besiktas was interested in signing the midfielder.
Mikel is one of Chelsea’s longest-serving players behind John Terry after joining the club from Norwegian side Lyn in 2006 but the Nigerian has found first-team opportunities limited this season.
A spokesman for the footballer is quoted by the Sun on Sunday as saying: “This is an entirely private matter. John provides for and cares for his children and will continue to do so. He asks that their privacy be respected.”
MailOnline has contacted Chelsea for a statement.
-By Julian Robinson for Mail Online
