Essien has made the switch to Italy.
AC Milan have completed the signing of Michael Essien from Chelsea on an 18-month deal according to Italian journalists Gabriele Marcotti and Gianluca Dimarzio.
Essien to AC Milan is done. 18 month deal, no fee, reports @dimarzio Heard from some1 else he also took pay cut. Had CFC deal thru 2015
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) January 24, 2014
It’s believed that the 31-year-old has taken a pay cut to make the switch to Italy, after enduring limited opportunities this season since returning to Stamford Bridge.
Essien spent last term on-loan at Real Madrid and came back to west London along with manager Jose Mourinho.
However, the boss has barely played the Ghana international this term, with Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Ramires and now new £20.75m signing Nemanja Matic ahead in the pecking order.
The African star has made just five Premier League appearances this campaign – of which two were starts – and looks of the pace.
Essien moved to the club in 2005 from Olympique Lyon in what was then a club record £24.4m signing for the Blues.
The Ghanian won two league titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League whilst with the west London club, but has struggled with injury during the past few years.
Essien will be the third departure from the Bridge in this January transfer window, with Kevin de Bruyne having already been sold to Wolfsburg for £16m and Juan Mata expected to complete a £37m switch to Manchester United in the coming days.
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