By Ameenu Shardow
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has signed a contract which finalizes his season’s-long loan move to Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old met up with Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez at the club’s board room after passing a mandatory medical at the Sanitas-La Moraleja Hospital a few hours earlier.
He then signed the contract and was presented with the symbolic Real Madrid shirt, a watch and a pen by Perez signifying the completion of his move to the nine-time European champions.
The duo then descended to the press room for Essien’s first press conference upon joining Los Blancos.
The ex Olympique Lyon player was reunited with manager Jose Mourinho under whom he played at Chelsea after securing his loan move on transfer deadline day on Friday night.
His move was necessitated by the lack of first team opportunities at Stamford Bridge under manager Roberto Di Matteo.
Essien’s move to Madrid has been hailed by several Ghanaians as it provides the hope of reviving his football career following a three-year spell with bad injuries.
His prospective return to tip-top form will serve a timely boost to the Black Stars as he is expected to join up with the team for the 2013 Nations Cup if Ghana qualifies ahead of Malawi.