Michael Kojo Essien (also referred to as Mickaël Essien) (born 3 December 1982) is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League. He is an all-round midfielder who can play multiple midfield roles (defensively and offensively). He has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert boundless energy in supporting offensive and defensive play. At Chelsea, his versatility as a player has been put to effective use in various roles. He has often been deployed as a defensive midfielder, but has also played as a centre midfielder, a right-sided lateral defender or a right-sided midfielder, even as a Right Back, and a Center Back. For the Ghana national football team, Essien has played primarily in a central midfield role, with combined opportunities to go forward or support defensive play. He also has a good eye for goal and has on occasion scored important, sometimes breath-taking goals for both club and country. One of his trademark abilities is to hit a shot from distance. Between the summer of 2007 and the summer of 2009, Essien was the most expensive African footballer on account of his £24.4 million move from French club Olympique Lyonnais to Chelsea FC. This achievement is now surpassed by Togolese player Emmanuel Adebayor, who moved from Arsenal to Manchester City for £25 million in the summer of 2009. Essien is often referred to as "the Bison" for his tough tackling style, boundless energy and physical presence on the pitch.