Essien close to Australian switch

Ghana international Michael Essien is on his way to joining Australian side Melbourne Victory, the Herald Sun has reported.

The 33-year-old is on the search for a new club following an injury-plagued stint with Greek club Panathinaikos last season.

Latest developments say the midfielder will join Victory under the new Football Federation Australia guest-marquee rule, the Accra-born having met the necessary criteria.

“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.’’

Essien, a former Liberty Professionals man, previously played for the likes of Real Madrid, Bastia, Olympic Lyon and Chelsea, with whom he won two English Premier League titles in 2005-06 and 2009-10, and a Uefa Champions League in 2012.