Soccer News of Saturday, 1 September 2012

Source: --

Essien to train with Real Madrid today

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will have his first training session with Real Madrid on Saturday evening, insiders have told GHANAsoccernet.com

The 29-year-old will meet his new Real Madrid team-mates at 1800 local time just hours after agreeing a rush loan deal with the Spanish giants.

It remains unclear whether coach Jose Mourinho will be there to introduce Essien as he might not lead the training session.

The Portuguese manager is scheduled to travel to Manchester to watch the match between City and QPR to be played at 18.30.

Essien will be introduced to them before the start of the training session as the powerhouse gets down to business with the former European champions.

This comes just 12 hours after joining the former European champions on a season-long loan deal from English side Chelsea.

The Black Stars player arrived at Torrejon Air Base at 14.00 local time.

From there he went to the clinic Sanitas La Moraleja to undergo series of medical tests.

The 29-year-old midfielder sealed the loan deal minutes before the transfer window shut on Friday night.

He travelled directly from Monaco to Madrid on Saturday as he was on the sidelines as Chelsea where thrashed 4-1 by Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup.

Essien moves to the Bernabeu to link up with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, the man who brought him to Stamford Bridge.