chelsea sign Essien

[$Chris Bosh$]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article. ... 31102_4984

Essien signing complete


The Michael Essien saga is over as Lyon agreed to sell the midfielder for a record 38 million euros.

LYON, France (AP CP) -- The rich get richer.

Fuelled by the deep pockets of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea has agreed to pay France's Lyon 38 million euros ($56.3 million Cdn) in cash for Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien.

Lyon official Bernard Lacombe said Monday that the fee -- a Chelsea record -- amounted to a "very good financial operation" equalling a third of the Lyon's budget.

"We have reached a firm agreement with Chelsea and the club will get 38 million euros cash," Lacombe said. "All expenses for the transfer will be paid by Chelsea."

Essien joins a star studded side in Chelsea. The English champion's starting 11 Sunday against Wigan reportedly cost 130 million pounds ($282.2 million Cdn) with new signing Shaun Wright Phillips a 21 million pound ($45.6 million Cdn) substitute.

The Essien money will be paid next week and used by the four time defending French league champion to "remain ambitious," Lacombe told a news conference.

"We're going to try to make good choices on the two or three players who could join us," he said.

Lacombe, the club's top sports adviser, said that 22 year old Essien -- who joined Lyon in 2003 for 11 million euros ($16.3 million Cdn) -- would have a medical examination with Chelsea on Tuesday before signing a five year contract.

Essien, nicknamed "the bison" for his impressive physique, was chosen by his colleagues as the French league's best player last season.

The announcement concludes weeks of arduous negotiations between the clubs and came a day after Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas said he would let Essien go.

Essien has not played in any of Lyon's three league matches this season.

"It's always difficult to keep a player against his will," Lacombe said. "We did everything to keep him."

Lyon fell to third place after Sunday's match against Marseille, which ended with a 1 1 draw -- two points behind Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint Germain.

Chelsea needed a late goal to defeat newly promoted Wigan 1 0.

[Jackal_]

I heard Levante and Real Sociedad were interested in him too

[$Chris Bosh$]

yea but noone has more money then chelsea now days

[J@3]

I heard Levante and Real Sociedad were interested in him too

and Birmingham City

Anyways, yet another completely pointless signing by Chelsea. Look for about 6 World Class midfielders to become available on season long loans by January.