Essien completes Milan move

Chelsea have announced that midfielder Michael
Essien has completed his move to Italian side AC
Milan.
The 31-year-old Ghana international leaves
Stamford Bridge after a trophy-laden stint which
began when he was signed from Lyon in the
summer of 2005.
He won the first of two Premier League titles in
his first season at the club and was also a
member of the Chelsea sides who won the UEFA
Champions League, four FA Cups and a League
Cup.
Jose Mourinho was the man who signed Essien for
Chelsea and then took him to Real Madrid on a
season-long loan deal in 2012, before the duo
returned to London last summer.
Essien made 256 appearances for Chelsea, scoring
25 goals, but his first-team appearances have
been limited this season.
However, he captained the side in their 2-0 FA
Cup third-round win at Derby earlier this month,
which turned out to be his final start for the club.
Mourinho said: "To show Michael respect is to not
stop him going.
"We would have been happy had he stayed,
because he is a fantastic player for the team, but
he's given everything for the club and a great
chance arrived for his future.
"I know he can continue to play at a high level
and I wish him success and happiness in Italy and
at the World Cup in Brazil."
Cruciate injuries marred Essien's 2008/09 and
2011/12 seasons, and it had been speculated in
the Italian media that he had failed his Milan
medical.
However, the move has now gone through and
Essien has reportedly agreed an 18-month deal.
The Chelsea website said: "Essien epitomised the
'team player', with his versatility marking him out
as an integral member of the squad.
"Giving everything whenever he pulled on a
Chelsea shirt, his ability to play at right-back or in
the centre of defence, as well as his preferred
midfield role, ensured his importance to a side
competing up to the latter stages of multiple
competitions.
"While scoring goals was not a very frequent
occurrence, when they did come they were often
spectacular.
"Everybody at Chelsea Football Club would like to
thank Michael for his distinguished service and
wish him the very best of luck for the next
chapter in his career. He will always be welcome
at Stamford Bridge."