Chelsea Confirm Michael Essien Transfer to AC Milan

To add to another rough day for Chelsea faithful, the club announced the departure of long time fan favorite Michael Essien on a free transfer to Serie A giants AC Milan. The word around is that Essien was allowed to leave to Milan on a free transfer, an unusual move for Chelsea but a classy one in the end. At 31 with a long history of injuries, Essien was never going to figure much in to Chelsea’s plans but Milan is a club that needs midfield depth and he fits the bill. However because of his age and injuries, Milan balked at paying much of a transfer fee so Chelsea did the right thing and allowed the Ghanaian to leave on a free.

The offical tweet:

Michael Essien has always been a fan favorite since his arrival from Lyon in 2005 because of his skill, tenacity, positive attitude, and penchant for spectacular goals. Injuries took much of his effectiveness away in recent years but he still enjoyed a long and illustrious career in Chelsea blue, winning two Premiership titles, four FA cups, and one Champions League title. Essien was even voted the Chelsea Player of the Year in 2007 and was often recognized as one of the best African footballers in the world. Essien was truly a world-class player and as every Chelsea fan will tell you, a world-class person as well. We wish you the best of luck in Milan and in Brazil for the World Cup. You have left a bison-sized hole in our heart with your departure but we know you leave for greener pastures, in terms of regular first team football at least.

Enjoy this compilation of Essien’s Top 10 goals in his career: