Ghanaian international Michael Essien has signed for Greek club Panithanaikos.
The 32-year-old joined Italian club, AC Milan in 2014 but has now signed a two-year deal with Panathinaikos.
Speaking to the club’s website after the deal was announced Essien said : “I am very happy that I am here and that I will continue my career in Panathinaikos, I am looking forward to meet my new team and win trophies with my new team-mates. I want to give back the love that everyone has shown me and to thank the fans that welcomed me so warmly.”
His arrival in Athens on Monday for a medical was witnessed by a massive group of the club’s fans who came out to applaud and cheer him.
Essien has enjoyed a stellar career, winning league titles in France with Lyon and in England with Chelsea, where he won 3 Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League with the West London club.
His final years at Chelsea were blighted by injury and loss of form and he earned a move to Italian giants, AC Milan in January 2014.
His time at Milan, however, was not the most prolific of his career, making only 22 appearances for the club, failing to score a goal.
Essien also had a loan spell at Spanish club Real Madrid, where he scored 2 goals in 20 appearances for the club.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EdKwakofi