Michael Kojo Essien is a Ghanaian football legend. He is known for his outstanding midfield ability and strong performance on the pitch.
He is currently part of the coaching staff at North Zealand, having previously played for prestigious clubs such as Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Essien is known for his versatility, excelling in both defensive and attacking midfield roles.
His powerful shot, accurate passing and relentless work ethic make him a force to be reckoned with.
In addition to his success at the club, he also represented Ghana with distinction, making over 50 appearances and leaving an indelible mark on African football.
contour
- Full name: Michael Kodjo Essien
- Stage name: Michael Essien
- Date of birth: December 3, 1982
- Age: 41 years old
- Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
- Nationality: French, Ghanaian
- Occupation: Former Ghanaian professional football player
- Height: 1.77m
- Parents: Aba Gyandoh and James Essien
- Siblings: Alice Essien, Gladys Essien, Joyce Essien and Diana Essien.
- Spouse: Akosua Puni Essien
- Children: Jermaine Kwame Saki Essien, Michelle Essien and Michael Essien Jr.
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $35 million
early life and education
Michael Kojo Essien, born on December 3, 1982 in Accra, Ghana, is a former Ghanaian professional football player. The son of Abba Giando and James Essien, he had four siblings: Alice, Gladys, Joyce and Diana.
Essien’s father left the family where his mother had raised him single-handedly, and Essien grew up in a challenging environment. He attended Gomoa Nyanyano DC Primary and Junior High School before graduating from St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Although Essien’s football talents continued to improve, he remained in school until he completed high school. After graduation, Essien began his professional football career with the Liberty Professionals. He is a Ghanaian and a Christian.
Profession
Michael Essien’s football career began at a young age. In 2000, he got his first professional gig at French club Bastia. Initially, he was not a regular starter, playing in various defensive roles.
But his talent has caught the eye, attracting interest from big-name sides including Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille. In 2003, Essien chose defending champion Lyon. Here, he found his perfect position as a box-to-box midfielder.
He excels in attack and defense, supporting playmaker Juninho in the defensive midfield. His impressive performance even earned him a nomination for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award (22nd).
This praise attracted the attention of Chelsea, who spent a huge sum of money to sign Essien in 2005 for a record fee of 24.4 million pounds. Essien continued to flourish, becoming a key player for Chelsea and receiving multiple contract extensions.
In 2012, he was loaned to Real Madrid, where he added a new dimension to his goal tally. After the loan period ended, he moved to AC Milan (2014) and Panathinaikos (2015).
Injuries hampered his time in Greece, but his talent was undeniable. He continued his adventures with Indonesia (Persib) and Azerbaijan (Sabail FK) before hanging up his boots in 2019.
Essien’s international career has been equally impressive. He started with the Ghana U-17 team and won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships.
He also participated in the 2001 U-20 World Cup, where Ghana finished second. He represented the senior team for more than 12 years; Essien officially retired from the national team in 2018.
Michael Essien has transitioned into coaching after an outstanding career as a player. He is currently a member of the coaching staff of Danish club North Zealand.
In 2020, Essien began training in North Zealand and accumulated experience coaching Super League and multiple youth training teams. This opportunity allowed him to delve deeper into youth development and coaching methods.
North Zealand’s partnership with Ghana’s Dreamright Academy further cemented Essien’s connection to his roots and gave him valuable insights into African football.
In September 2020, Essien officially joined the North Zealand coaching team as an assistant coach. He actively participates in training sessions, conducts exercises and shares his expertise with the team.
Awards and nominations
Michael Essien has won several major awards during his career, including:
- 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year
- Third place in African Footballer of the Year in 2006 and 2007
- UEFA Champions League winner (2012)
- Premier League Championship (2006, 2010)
- FA Cup Champion (2007, 2009, 2012)
- League Cup champion (2007)
- French League Champion (2004, 2005)
- French Super Cup champion (2004, 2005)
social media
- Instagram account: @michaelessien
- Facebook account: Michael Essien
- Twitter account: @MichaelEssien
personal life
Famous former Ghanaian footballer Michael Essien is married to British-Ghanaian businesswoman Akosua Puni Essien. The couple held a private ceremony in London.
Michael and Akosua have three children: Jermaine Kwame Saki Essien, Michelle Essien and Michael Essien Jr. While their relationship has faced various challenges, including rumors of infidelity, the couple has remained married and continues to live together.
net worth
The famous former Ghanaian football player Michael Essien has an estimated net worth of $35 million. This huge wealth mainly comes from his successful professional football career, which has included positions at top clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan.
In addition to his achievements on the field, Essien has also capitalized on lucrative endorsement deals with well-known brands such as MTN, Samsung and PepsiCo.
At the peak of his career, Essien played for Real Madrid and earned an annual salary of approximately $6.6 million. His impressive net worth is a testament to his exceptional talent, longevity and business acumen in professional football.
