Essien extends stay with Chelsea

Midfielder Mickael Essien and Premiership giants Chelsea have come to a new agreement and add another year to the player’s stay in London.

Essien, born in Ghana, joined the Blues from Olympique de Lyon in 2005 and worked his way up to become one of the side’s more influential players.

Having scored ten goals in the 91 games he played for Chelsea, Essien sufficiently impressed the board. While the old contract lasted until 2012, the player is now tied to the club until 2013.

Essien was born in Accra, Ghana in 1982 and came to Europe in 2000. His first three years were spent at Bastia, after which he joined Lyon, who were about to start their most successful phase in history.