Michael Essien soccer player photos

Michael Essien is a professional footballer who played in the position of midfielder and defender who was born in Accra, Ghana on December 3, 1982. Essien began his career in football after graduating from St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast and he's playing in local club called Liberty Professionals. Essien began play in 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand. Essien attract the attention of observers of football in Europe and in April 2000 has ties with Manchester United, he played on the junior team which was defeated by Derby County.
In July 2000, Essien was signed by French club Bastia named. Because a good game, he was compared with Patrick Vieira because of his ability who can play to move the position. In the 2002-2003 season, Essien helped Bastia qualify for the UEFA Cup and scored six goals this season which makes Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille are interested in a contract.
PSG makes bid for Essien at Bastia, but was rejected. But Essien agreed personal terms with Lyon with a transfer value of € 7.8 million. Together Lyon, Essien won four consecutive titles in Ligue 1. Essien was selected as 2005 Player of the Year by France's National Union of Professional footballers (UNFP). Essien was also nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award.
On August 14, 2005, Lyon and Chelsea had entered into agreements for the transfer of Essien for 26 million pounds which is the most expensive contract during the contract period to beat Chelsea Drogba in the summer of the previous year. On December 15, 2005, Chelsea surrendered in two games because of a controversial ban on the making finally champions Barcelona in the Champions League.
In January 2006, Essien was taken out of the field after being challenged by West Ham captain.
On May 15, 2007, fans chose Essien as Chelsea's Player of the Year for his contributions with the club and the first African player to receive the honor. On August 13, 2007, Essien scored his first goal in the 2007-2008 season in the first round of the 2007-2008 Premier League season against Birmingham. On October 10, 2007, Essien was nominated for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Award and also on the 2007 Ballon d'Or Award. On December 12, 2007, Essien was also nominated for African Player of the Year in 2007 for the third consecutive year.
On July 22, 2008, Essiean signed a contract extension with Chelsea for five years and still defend Chelsea until 2013. On May 6, 2009, Essien scored with a left foot volley in the second stage of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. On October 24, 2009, Essien scored his first goal this season with a kick 35 yards on 52 minutes. Injured Essien for African Nations Cup in 2010 and spent the rest of the season in 2009.
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