• Ghanaian midfielder completes medical at San Siro
• Deal signals end of Essien’s eight-year Chelsea spell

Michael Essien has confirmed that he is close to joining Milan from Chelsea after completing a medical – and also took a swipe at ‘haters’ who have questioned his form and fitness. On his official Twitter feed, Essien remarked “haters will broadcast your failure but whisper your success. Medicals done, looking forward to start (sic) my new life with AC Milan”.

It is unclear whether the remark was aimed at current club Chelsea or manager José Mourinho – but the Ghanaian has disappointed since returning to the club from a loan spell at Real Madrid. Essien followed Mourinho from the Bernabéu to Stamford Bridge this summer, but has made just five league appearances this term – including a disastrous display at home to Southampton, when his errant back pass allowed Jay Rodriguez to score in the first minute.

Essien, who joined the Blues from Lyon in 2005 for a then club record £24.4m fee, has spent over eight years at Chelsea, winning the Champions League in 2012, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one League Cup with the club. The Ghanaian was a key figure in Mourinho’s first stint at Chelsea, but struggled to regain his place following a cruciate ligament injury in 2008.

Despite initial speculation in Italian media that he had failed his medical, the midfielder looks set to be confirmed as a Milan player on Monday, and will join the Rossoneri on an initial eighteen-month deal. He will become Milan’s third signing of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of Adil Rami and Keisuke Honda.

• Chelsea
• Milan
• Transfer window

Niall McVeigh

theguardian.com