Essien handed the no.15 shirt at Real Madrid

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien says he is ready to ‘fight and help Real Madrid win more silverwares’.

The 29-year-old was speaking at his first press conference as a Real Madrid player following his loan switch from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

Essien was handed the no.15 shirt after completing a routine medical at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital earlier on Saturday before signing the contract which officially made him a Los Blanco.

He trained with the team in the evening and has since been called up to the 20-man squad to face Granada on Sunday.

Essien however says he is ready to play for his ‘daddy’ (Jose Mourinho) under whom he played during his flamboyant days at Chelsea.

The Ghana international adds the prospect to play under ‘The Only One’ was too good an offer to refuse when the call came through.

“Real Madrid have a lot of good players and I am here to join the squad so am ready to play anywhere my daddy wants me to play,” he said at the press conference.

“And I will tell the fans that I am always ready to fight for the club and to help the club to win more silverwares.

“I use the name daddy because he (Mourinho) was the one who brought me to Chelsea and he knows me very well, we have a very good relationship.

“He understands me really well and I understand him. When he asked me to come I just said yes I am ready to come and play for him and for Real Madrid.”

Essien’s move to the nine-time European champions have been hailed by many Ghanaians who are hoping he returns to regular first team action and hits the form that has earned him a great reputation across the globe.

His expected return to the Black Stars is a timely boost for Ghana as it hopes to end an over 30-year wait for the Nations Cup if it qualifies for the finals in South Africa next year by accounting for Malawi on the final qualifier.

Watch excerpts of Michael Essien’s first press conference at Real Madrid below: