Michael Essien
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Who is this?
Michael Essien (born 3 December 1982) is a Ghanaian football coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach at Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland. A midfielder, Essien started his career playing for Liberty Professionals in Ghana. In 2000, he moved to France to join Bastia, where he would spend three seasons and appear in over 60 matches before joining Ligue 1 title holders Lyon in 2003. At Lyon, Essien won back-to-back league titles in 2003–04 and 2004–05, and won Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2005. The same year, Essien signed with Premier League side Chelsea for a £24.4 million transfer fee. The fee made him the most expensive African footballer at that time. At Chelsea, Essien helped the club win the Premier League in 2006 and 2010, as well as three FA Cups and one League Cup. He won the UEFA Champions League in 2011–12, while also placing as runner-up in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. He has won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award twice, in the 2006–07 and 2008–09 seasons. He also played for the Ghana national team, earning more than 50 caps. He contributed to Ghana's third-place finish at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship and their runner-up position at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. Essien made his senior team debut in January 2002 and has represented his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Essien also represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Career
- 1982Born
- 1998Joined Ghana national under-17 football team
- 2000Joined SC Bastia
- 2001Joined Ghana national under-20 football team
- 2002Joined Ghana men's national football team
- 2003Joined Olympique Lyonnais
- 2005Joined Chelsea F.C.
- 2012Joined Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- 2014Joined AC Milan
- 2015Joined Panathinaikos F.C.
- 2017Joined Persib Bandung
- 2019Joined Səbail FK
Trivia
- •Place of birth: Accra
- •Citizenship: Ghana
- •Known as: association football player, association football coach
- •Sport: association football
What happened recently
Michael Essien has already told Chelsea exactly why they must sign Andreas Schjelderup
Chelsea and Ghana legend Michael Essien reflects on his time at Stamford Bridge | News
2026 World Cup: Black Stars have enough quality to qualify from the group stage – Michael Essien - 3News
2026 World Cup: Black Stars have enough quality to qualify for knockout round
Michael Essien insists Xabi Alonso must do one thing next season to keep Chelsea job
Wayne Rooney BODIES Chelsea legend Michael Essien and sends him flying to the floor in Soccer Aid 2026
“This is Chelsea” – Michael Essien shares big concern he has for Blues boss Xabi Alonso
"A GOOD APPOINTMENT!" Michael Essien BELIEVES Xabi Alonso will have a POSITIVE Impact at Chelsea!
“We have to” – Michael Essien gives honest thoughts on Chelsea for next season
Michael Essien boosts Black Stars ahead of Unity Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago
'Protect Kudus' – Michael Essien sends strong message to Ghanaians ahead of World Cup
It's a tough group - Michael Essien on Black Stars' 2026 World Cup group opponents
Fearless: Watch highlights of Michael Essien's performance against Italy in the 2006 World Cup
Man Utd send scouts to watch ‘next Michael Essien’ wanted by Brighton as Baleba heir, as Arsenal join hunt
Bold take: Essien better than Makelele and Kante, 2-time EPL winner says (video)
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