Ghanaian starlet John Kofi Essel has agreed and signed a professional contract at Romanian giants Football CFR Cluj.
The highly-rated 18-year old, a product of Oliver Arthur’s unique model of young player development, agreed an extendable-conditional short-term deal.
ArthurLegacy, the official management agency of the powerful young midfielder, tweeted a confirmation of the move today.
Essel, an ex-trainee at Bechem United, had spent the 3 of the last 5 months training with the first team of Chievo Verona.
He nearly joined Inter Milan in 2016 after successful trial but the Chinese takeover of the club collapsed the deal.
Essel, it is claimed, is the 'Next Michael Essien' because he poses the exceptional passing, powerful presence and goal-scoring defensive midfield qualities of the former Ghana international and Chelsea star man.
Cluj are expected to give the tenacious young Ghanaian first team football from next season.