The transfer of Micheal Essien from Lyon to Premiership champions Chelsea has finally been completed.
Chelsea confirmed the deal in a statement on their official website which stated that the club has reached an agreement with the player on personal terms. Essien also passed his medical.
Essien, signed for £26million, has become the clubs record signing. He takes over this title from Didier Drogba who was signed for £24 million last summer from Marseilles.
The Stamford Bridge club has been pursuing the Ghanaian international midfielder for the duration of the summer. The negotiations with Lyon's President, Jean-Michel Aulas seemed to turn sour on a number of occasions, with Aulas doing much of the verbal jousting.
Aulas had publicly stated he expected Essien to sign an improved contract to keep him in France until next summer. However Essien was adamant in his wish to move to the London club.
The deal was sealed on Sunday night when Aulas, having bartered Chelsea up to what Lyon considered a fair price, admitted Essien would have to go.
The arrival of Essien will further increase the competition for starting places in an already packed Chelsea midfield.
