From Lyon to Chelsea: Essien becomes Africa's most expensive player

On 19th August, 2005, Michael Essien finally completed a £24.4m move from French club Lyon to Premiership champions Chelsea.

Midfielder Essien, 22 signed a five-year deal and became the Stamford Bridge club's record signing.

Jose Mourinho expressed he was delighted to get Michael essien's signature.  

"I wanted him because I was looking for a player to finish what is a very strong squad in every position," said Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

"We believe he is the best we can get for his position and he can play anywhere in midfield."

"He's young, has a lot of ambition and he has the profile of the player we want.

Essien who now plays for AC Milan joined Chelsea in 2005 and stayed there till 2014, but went on loan to Real Madrid in 2012-13 season, winning 2 league titles, 4 FA Cups and 1 UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea had pursued Essien all summer, and had bids of £10m, £16.75m, £18m, £21m and £21m plus Tiago turned down.

The midfielder became the Blues' record signing, exceeding the £24m they paid Marseille for Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba in 2004. This makes him up to date Africans most expensive player.

His feat was surpassed by the towering Togolese striker, Emmanuel Adebayor in 2009 when he joined Manchester United for a fee of £25m from Arsenal.

Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony became Africa's most expensive player after joining Manchester City for £28m, arriving from Swansea in January 2015.