COBHAM (England), Aug 19: Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with English Premier League champions Chelsea. Chelsea said on Friday that a club record fee — put at 38 million euros ($46.47 million) by Essien’s former club Olympique Lyon — had been agreed.

Essien has secured a work permit and the club is awaiting international clearance for the 22-year-old to play, potentially on Sunday at home to Arsenal.

“I wanted to come to the Premiership and now I am very happy,” he told reporters. “I am in love with the Premiership. I am pleased to be with Chelsea.

Essien’s protracted transfer was marked by the reluctance of Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas to lose the midfielder but the player’s stated desire to join Chelsea.—Reuters