The 29-year-old midfielder is expected to earn £140,000 per week in the CSL and follows former Blues team-mate Oscar in moving to China this month, with Carlos Tevez and Axel Witsel other high-profile imports by the up-and-coming league.
“John Mikel Obi has today moved to Chinese side Tianjin TEDA following 10-and-a-half years with Chelsea in which time he won every major club honour,” the Blues confirmed on their official website.
Among the honours claimed by Mikel during his spell in England include two Premier League crowns, five FA Cup successes and one Champions League.
He scored only six times in 372 appearances for the Blues, but if anything that increased his status as a legend with the support.
“His close-range volley against Fulham in September 2013 ended a goalless run dating back to January 2007. The uninhibited joy among his team-mates was mirrored by those in the Stamford Bridge stands, highlighting his cult status among fans,” Chelsea noted in a statement to confirm the player’s departure from the club.
“He leaves with our very best wishes and we thank him for his exceptional service.”
Mikel, meanwhile, has already thanked the Chelsea fans for the support they gave him during over a decade’s service for the London side.
“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,” he stated.
The Nigeria star did have other options, with Marseille and Valencia also interested in pursuing a move for the captain of the Super Eagles, but the financial draw of the CSL ultimately won the day.
Midfielder Nemanja Gudelj and attacker Malick Evouna recently joined Tianjin from Ajax for £5.5 million and Al-Ahly for £7.5m respectively.