Chelsea Midfielder Essien Joins Real Madrid on Loan

Real Madrid have signed Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on a year-long loan deal.

The Ghanaian will link up with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Santiago Bernabeu after being made surplus to requirements under Roberto Di Matteo.

Essien's arrival in Madrid will facilitate Lassana Diarra's proposed move to Anzhi Makhachkhala before the Russian transfer deadline passes on Thursday.

The 29-year-old made only 14 appearances for the European champions last term after recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in January, consequently losing his first-team place to John Obi Mikel and Raul Meireles under Andre Villas-Boas and later Di Matteo.