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Michael Essien set to sign for AC Milan

By on January 24, 2014

AC Milan have announced the signing of Chelsea veteran Michael Essien on a permanent deal, with the former Real Madrid player set to arrive in Milan this evening.

Essien has been at Chelsea since 2005, but at the age of 31 has been struggling to find playing time ahead of The Blues’ stacked midfield, so has agreed a deal with Milan, which, per a statement released on their official website, said the midfielder would arrive in Italy on Friday night. “Michael Essien expected in Milan this evening,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Essien also confirmed the move, which is still subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.

“I’m happy to be here. I will do my best for Milan,” the 31-year-old said. “I spoke with Mr Seedorf two days ago. I cannot wait to be available.

“I really want to thank the chairman and the team and thanks to (Chelsea boss) Jose Mourinho, who has allowed me to wear the Rossoneri shirt.”

Essien joined Chelsea in 2005 as the club’s most expensive player ever from Lyon for £24.4 million and has made 168 appearances for The Blues. The Ghanaian has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cup trophies, one League Cup, one Community Shield, and one Champions League title with the London club during an incredibly successful period for Chelsea, but as he aged he was dealt with increasingly less playing time, leading to his loan move to Real Madrid last season. However, Essien returned to Chelsea with high hopes of a starting position under his former manager Jose Mourinho, but after making just nine appearances so far this season the defensive midfielder has gotten himself a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.

Essien, who has won 52 caps for Ghana and starred in their 2006 World Cup side, will join a struggling Milan side that are sitting in eleventh place and look to work well with the Italian giant’s new manager Clarence Seedorf, who himself arrived in Milan less than a week ago after the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.