Early Life and Education
Michael Essien was born on December 3, 1982, in Accra to the family of Mr. James Essien and Mrs. Aba Gyandoh.
Essien went to Gomoa Nyanyano DC Primary and JSS and proceeded to St. Augustine College in Cape Coast.
Club career Bastia
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. 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 collected a staggering 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 surprising 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.
Lyon
He stayed in the team between 2003 and 2005 and during this time he made 96 appearances out f which he scored 13 goals. His performance during the league earned him to be voted as the 2005 Player of the Year in the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). He got nominated for 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award. He did not win the position. He came out in the twenty-second position, a move that attracted Chelsea to consider signing him up.
Chelsea
On 14th August 2005, Essien was signed to Chelsea at a fee of £24.4 million making him the most expensively signed player in the club. His stay in Chelsea was the longest as he stayed in the club for the seven years that followed. Being part of the Chelsea squad greatly influenced his career. For the time that he was in the team, he made 256 appearances and scored 25 goals. This is the highest number of goals that he ever scored in a football team.
Milan
Essien signed one and half year contract on 27 January 2014 with an Italian club named Milan.
Real Madrid (loan)
Essien signed a season-long loan deal with Real Madrid on August 31, 2012, where he reunited with his former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho. The manager Jose Mourinho introduced Essien as “his son” at the press conference with Real Madrid, while Essien referred to Mourinho as his “Daddy”. On 3 November, Essien’s first goal happens for Real Madrid. He scored his second goal in the last match of the season and his last game as a Madrid player, and he dedicated the goal to Mourinho.
International Career
Essien started his international career with the Ghana under-17 national team, the Black Starlets when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand and won the bronze medal. In 2001, he participated in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina, despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, where the nation finished runners-up to Argentina.
His performances let people focus on him and gave the assurance that he would be one of Africa’s next rising stars. Essien’s first appearance on the senior team was in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco on 21 January 2002. but had played for Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt on 4 January 2002.
Michael Essien Wife
According to our records, Michael Essien married to Akosua Puni Essien. As of January 12, 2023, Michael Essien’s is not dating anyone.
Relationships Record: We have no records of past relationships for Michael Essien. You may help us to build the dating records for Michael Essien!
Salary
$4 Million
Personal Life
Micheal Essien is married to Akosua Puni Essien. The couple started dating in 2013 and they have been together for around 9 years. They have been blessed with three children Two boys and a girl named Michael Essien Junior, Michelle Essien, and Jermaine Kwame Sakyi.
Age
38
Michele Essien Net Worth
Micheal is one of the most popular and successful footballers in Ghana. His Net Worth was estimated at $35Million
