Michael Essien (born December 3rd 1982 in Accra, Ghana) began his career with local Ghanaian club Liberty Professionals. Playing in the Under-17 World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand, he was spotted by European scouts and in July 1999, Bastia, from Corsica in France, signed him.
Michael Essien (born December 3rd 1982 in Accra, Ghana) began his career with local Ghanaian club Liberty Professionals. Playing in the Under-17 World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand, he was spotted by European scouts and in July 1999, Bastia, from Corsica in France, signed him. At Bastia, playing in central midfield, being physically strong and a harder tackler, he was compared to Frenchman Patrick Vieira due to his ability to work tirelessly from box to box. In 2002/2003 offers for him came from across Europe and he moved to Lyon where he played a more defensive midfield role, helping Lyon to a third consecutive Ligue 1 title. His fellow professionals in France voted Essien their Player of the Year for 2005. Indeed, Michael’s strength, dynamism and imposing midfield presence had perhaps earned him greater repute in Europe than in his native Africa.
That all changed when Chelsea paid Lyon £26m to make the powerful Ghanaian the most expensive footballer in his continent’s history. He is also Chelsea's second most expensive signing after Ukraine forward and captain Andriy Shevchenko. He made his debut against Arsenal on August 21, wearing the number 5 shirt and has now secured his place in José Mourinho's side. He made his Ghana senior debut in the 2002 African Nations Cup and was in the team that represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany operating as a deep-lying playmaker. Michael Essien was nominated for the 2006 Ballon d'Or as well as 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year Award.
(c) Givemefootball.com official Michael Essien profile
