- Premier League
Real Madrid loan Essien from Chelsea
ESPN staff
August 31, 2012
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Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan.
Essien, 29, will reunite with Real boss Jose Mourinho, who also managed him at Stamford Bridge.
He joined Chelsea in 2005 from Lyon and became a first-team regular under Mourinho, but injuries have curtailed his involvement in recent seasons.
He was not part of the matchday squad as Chelsea were beaten 4-1 by Atletico Madrid on Friday in the UEFA Super Cup.
Earlier on Friday, Essien had been linked with a temporary switch to Arsenal.