|
|
|
Michael Essien
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Essien (born December 3, 1982 in Accra) is a Ghanaian footballer. He currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. He is an all-action box-to-box central midfielder and plays as a deep-lying playmaker for Ghana.
Born in Accra, Essien began his career in a local club in his native Ghana, called Liberty Professionals FC. He broke through when he played in the Under-17 World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand. This led to considerable attention from European scouts. In July 1999, French club SC Bastia signed Essien. At Bastia, he did not command a regular place in the team, playing at right back, left back and in central defense. Then because of an injury to one of his teammates, he was given a temporary opportunity to play in central midfield. Essien flourished... more Michael Essien biography
Full name: Michael Essien
Date of birth: December 3, 1982
Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
Height: 1.81 m
Nickname: The Train
Position: Central/Right midfielder, Right-back
Centre back
2000–2003: Sporting Club de Bastia - 62 (11)
2003–2005: Olympique Lyonnais - 71 (7)
2005–present: Chelsea - 58 (6)
Honours
Club:
-French Cup with SC Bastia Runner-up: 2002
-French Ligue 1 with Olympique Lyon Winner: 2003/04, 2004/05
-FA Premier League with Chelsea F.C Winner: 2006
National team :
-1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship 3rd Place: 1999
-FIFA World Youth Championship Runner-up: 2001
Individual:
-FIFA World Player of the Year - 22nd 2005, 22nd 2006
-Ballon d'Or - 22nd 2005, 27th 2006
-African Footballer of the Year - 3rd 2005, Nomination 2006
-2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year - Winner
-CAF's Africa Top 50 Best Players of All-Time - Nomination
-FIFA Player of the Game: 2006 Fifa World Cup Ghana vs. Czech Republic
-The Most Expensive Summer Transfer of 2005 [from Lyon to Chelsea]
-The Most Expensive African Footballer of all-time [€38M]
-FIFA All-Star Midfielder
-On the Cover of FIFA Magazine May 2006
-2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year award - Winner
|
|
|
