Blues complete Essien deal

Chelsea have confirmed the capture of Lyon midfielder Michael Essien.

The powerful Ghana international has put pen-to-paper having successfully completed a medical at Stamford Bridge.

Essien, 22-years-old, had been pursued all summer by Chelsea but Lyon were initially steadfast in their insistence that the talented African would be staying in France.

However, courtesy of Roman Abramovich's money and Jose Mourinho's perseverance, Chelsea have now finally landed their primary summer target in a ‚é¼38 million (£26 million) move.

The capture of Essien completes one of the most drawn out transfers of the summer and eclipses the £24 million The Blues shelled out on Didier Drogba in June 2004.

Essien is unlikely to make his debut against rivals Arsenal on Sunday live on Sky Sports 1, with their clash against West Brom on August 24 a more realistic target.