Veteran midfielder Michael Essien is expected to join Melbourne Victory within the next 24 hours after reportedly terminating his contract with Greek club Panathinaikos.
GHANAsoccernet.com understands that Essien was waiting for clearance of his release from Greece before commiting himself to the Melbourne Victory move, but following an agreement on his contract, Essien can now focus on his move down under.
The Victory have tabled a handsome 12-month marquee off to Essien subject to a medical, and Essien would join under the new guest marquee role the FFA recently announced.
“FFA has had an approach from a A-League club in relation to using a portion of the Marquee Guest Fund to bring Michael Essien to the A-League as a Full Season Guest Marquee Player,” FFA CEO David Gallop said.
“Michael Essien has had a tremendous domestic and international career, which qualifies him for a position on a Player Roster as a Full Season Guest Marquee Player and we have come to an agreed financial contribution if a club was to come to an agreement.''
The no-nonsense midfielder made 168 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in nine years for the club, and won two EPL titles and a UEFA Champions League in his time in London.
