Michael Essien

Michael Essien was the engine of some of the best teams in world football, a midfielder of such power and drive that Chelsea supporters simply called him the Bison. For a decade he was among the most complete midfielders in Europe, and the standard-bearer for Ghanaian football abroad.

Early life

He was born in Accra on 3 December 1982 and came through Liberty Professionals in Ghana before making the move to Europe as a teenager, joining French club Bastia in 2000.

Lyon and stardom

A transfer to Olympique Lyonnais in 2003 launched him. He won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles in 2004 and 2005 and was named French Player of the Year in 2005, form that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders on the continent.

Chelsea legend

In 2005 Chelsea signed him for a reported 24 million pounds, and he became a cornerstone of the club's most successful era. Across his time at Stamford Bridge he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, and produced a series of spectacular goals that made him a fan favourite. He later played for Real Madrid, AC Milan and clubs further afield, from Greece to Indonesia.

Ghana and legacy

He was a talismanic figure for the Black Stars, featuring at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups. Injuries denied him a place in Ghana's famous 2010 run, a loss the team felt keenly. Even so, Essien remains one of the greatest players Ghana has ever produced, a midfielder who competed at the very top of the European game and won there.