Panathinaikos fans were given a further boost by a visit from Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien who is expected to join the Athens-based club this week.

The Ghana international travelled to Athens to watch Panathinaikos's 2-0 victory over PAOK Salonika on Sunday, and gave interviews to local media and posed for photographs with several Panathinaikos supporters ahead of his move.

He will sign a two-year contract worth €2m, according to the Daily Mail.

The 32-year-old is currently a free agent following the conclusion of an 18-month spell at Milan and is ready to begin the next chapter of his career in Greece.

Essien played for Chelsea between 2005 and 2014, before joining Real Madrid and AC Milan.