Michael Essien

Michael Kojo Essien (born 3 December 1982) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and is currently a member of Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland's coaching staff.

He was also capped for the Ghana national team more than 50 times.

During his prime, Essien was considered one of the best midfielders in the world.

Essien was known not only for his defensive ability, but also his knack for scoring long-range goals.

Essien started his career playing for Liberty Professionals in Ghana.

At youth level, he represented his country at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship and 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, with the latter team finishing as runner-up.

Essien broke through when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand.

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.

European scouts began to take notice, and Essien had a trial at Manchester United in April 2000.

He played in the club's under-17 team's defeat to Derby County.

Manchester United offered him a contract, but he was ineligible to obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom.

He, therefore, considered joining Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp until he was eligible to move to England.

However, his mother meanwhile preferred a move to France instead.

In July 2000, Essien was signed by Division 1 club Bastia and made his debut for the club on 30 September 2000 in a league match against Metz, appearing as a substitute for captain Laurent Casanova.

Essien did not immediately command a consistent place in the team, being deployed in various positions in the back four.

He ultimately finished the 2000–01 campaign with only 13 league appearances and one goal, which came in the return leg against Metz in a 3–2 defeat.

The following season, Essien was given an opportunity by manager Robert Nouzaret to play in central midfield and flourished in this new role.

Essien formed midfield partnerships with Nicolas Dieuze and Cyril Jeunechamp and scored vital goals in victories over Nantes, Lorient and Guingamp.

Essien made his senior team debut in January 2002 and has represented his nation at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

On 12 January 2002, Essien scored the equalising goal against Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome to even the match at 2–2.

He also scored a goal in the Coupe de la Ligue against Le Mans.

Future Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba converted a goal for Le Mans in the match.

In the 2002–03 season, Essien developed into an undisputed starter under new manager Gérard Gili.

However, his tenacious and physical style of play also began to take form as he received 12 yellow cards in league play.

He opened the new campaign by scoring on his season debut against Lens in a 1–1 draw and converted five more league goals, which included one in a 2–0 victory over the defending champions Lyon.

Following the campaign, in which Bastia finished mid-table for the third consecutive season, Essien drew interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille.

Paris Saint-Germain made Bastia the highest offer and it was accepted.

However, Essien rejected PSG's contract offer, instead of agreeing to terms with the two-time defending champions Lyon, who paid Bastia €7.8 million for the transfer.

Upon his arrival, Essien was assigned the number 4 shirt and played as a box-to-box midfielder, which allowed him the freedom to protect and assist playmaker Juninho while defensive midfielders Edmílson and Mahamadou Diarra assisted the defence and directed the distribution.

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.

Essien made his club debut in the team's 2003 Trophée des champions match against Auxerre on 27 July 2003.

In just the fifth minute of play, Essien scored his first goal for the club, and four minutes later, Diarra scored a goal.

In 2005, Essien signed with Premier League side Chelsea for a £24.4 million transfer fee and, at the time of his signing, was the most expensive African footballer in history.

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 has won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award twice, in the 2006–07 and 2008–09 seasons.

Essien is a former Ghanaian international.

Essien has also represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

Born in Accra to Aba Gyandoh and James Essien, Essien attended Gomoa Nyanyano DC Primary and JSS.

He began his football career after graduating from St. Augustine's College in Cape Coast, playing at a local club called Liberty Professionals.

He won the UEFA Champions League in 2011–12, while also placing as runner-up in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League.