Essien heading to Milan

24 January 2014 17:31

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is poised to move to AC Milan from Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has found opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge since returning from a loan spell at Real Madrid last season and has permission from Jose Mourinho to leave.

Milan were one of a number of interested parties and on Friday announced Essien is expected in northern Italy later in the evening.

A statement on acmilan.com read: "Michael Essien in expected in the city this evening."

Essien joined Chelsea from Lyon for £24.4million in 2005.

The midfielder suffered from a succession of knee injuries and the signing of Nemanja Matic from Benfica saw Essien slip further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Source: PA