Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien is taking his talents all the way Down Under, to the land of the Aborigines and the Tasmanian Devil.
Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory have reportedly put in an application to grab the Ghanaian midfielder as a free agent, hoping to sign him under the guest marquee rule available to Australian clubs.
Although the same club failed to sign former Italy international Alessandro Diamanti under the same rule, their application for Essien has reportedly been accepted by the Football Federation of Australia.
“FFA has had an approach from an 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,” David Gallop, FFA CEO, told the Herald Sun.
“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.’’ he added.
Essien last played for Panathinaikos in the Greek Superlig, and was last seen working as a pundit.