Players Abroad of Monday, 23 May 2005
Source: Charles Osei Asibey
Black Stars and Olympique Lyonnais midfield player Michael Essien has been named the French Professional Players' Union Player of the Year.
The 22-year-old Ghanaian enjoyed an outstanding season, missing just one Ligue 1 match as Olympique Lyonnais cruised to a fourth consecutive title. He was ever-present in the side's impressive UEFA Champions League run, before their penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals.
Essien's durable central-midfield partnership with Mahamadou Diarra has been at the heart of Lyon's success but he also contributed five Champions League goals - more than any of his team-mates. "I feel very proud to have claimed this trophy," former SC Bastia player Essien said, "especially because it comes from players themselves. I thank those who voted for me.