'The Bison' ready to start charge

Lyon wrench
Chelsea had set the previous record by recruiting Didier Drogba for €37.5m from Olympique de Marseille. "To part with Essien was a wrench," said Lyon president Michael Aulas's special adviser and chief scout Bernard Lacombe. "But it's a pretty good deal!"

Massive fee
The huge fee represents about a third of Lyon's annual expenditure, and there are few sides in Europe wealthy enough to be able to resist such an offer. With Lyon keen to win a fifth successive French title and the UEFA Champions League, that money could go a long way.

No1 target
Chelsea, for their part, can reflect on having snared their No1 transfer target, while Essien can begin to live a dream. "I don't want people thinking I am going to Chelsea just for the money," said the 22-year-old. "The English league attracts me a lot and Chelsea are among the biggest clubs in Europe."

Essien relieved
The Ghanaian added: "I am relieved the deal has been done." It has been something of a soap opera with Lyon proving tough negotiators. Aulas initially valued Essien at €45m, then raised his demand to €45m plus a Chelsea player as the saga went on.

Aulas enraged
On 7 August it seemed the irascible president had lost patience with Chelsea altogether, saying: "England have won the Olympics but Chelsea will not get Michael Essien. They thought we were just country bumpkins with our berets and a baguette in our pockets. That is not the way things work at Lyon."

Worrying moments
At that point, the player voted the French Professional Footballers' Union Player of the Year for 2004/05 thought his chances of a switch to Stamford Bridge were waning. "When he said that, I was very afraid," said Essien, but Aulas eventually calmed down, and allowed the midfielder to continue his dramatic rise.

Ghanaian roots
Essien was born in Accra and came to prominence as Ghana finished third at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. SC Bastia were quickest off the mark, taking him from Ghanaian team Liberty Professionals in July 2000. After three seasons in Corsica, Lyon won the battle to sign Essien for €11m in June 2003.

'The Bison'
It turned out to be a steal. Essien earned his nickname 'The Bison' as the battering ram at the heart of Paul Le Guen's side. Alongside Malian Mahamadou Diarra he formed one of Europe's strongest midfield partnerships, claiming two French titles and reaching two Champions League quarter-finals.

Attacking potential
"Essien is powerful, fast and can still get a lot better," said his former Lyon team-mate Eric Abidal. Such comments cannot have fallen on deaf ears, and Mourinho will be eager to focus on the attacking strengths of the Ghanaian, who scored five European goals in 2004/05.

'Fond memories'
Meanwhile, Essien made his farewells to the Gerland stadium. "I have only fond memories of Lyon," he said, despite having refused to take part in the club's summer preparations. The job now for Essien is to make the biggest transfer in French history look like a bargain.