Essien is delighted

Last updated : 19 August 2005 By Paul Lagan
Just in case you don't know, a certain Michael Essien has put pen to paper and signed a £24.5m, five-year deal for Chelsea.

The long, drawn out transfer saga is over and the Ghana midfielder is available to play against Arsenal on Sunday following is move from French champions Lyon.

Essien, 22, said: "I wanted to come to the Premiership and now I am very happy.

"I am in love with the Premiership. I am pleased to be with Chelsea.

"It is going to be tough but I am ready to fight for a place in the team.

"I don't think it will be a problem to adapt because I speak the langauge and I have some friends in the team.

"Physically I'm okay because I trained normally with my former club."