Former Chelsea star Michael Essien has opted against joining the Melbourne Victory for the upcoming A-League season, despite reports initially indicating the Ghanaian was on the verge of signing the deal.
Essien has knocked back an offer from the A-League club to join as a marquee player for the 2016-17 season despite terminating his contract with Greek side Panathinaikos earlier in the week.
The 33-year-old had played for just one season with the Greek giants, and still had a year to run on his contract when he ended his deal with the club. The move had been touted to pave the way for Essien’s arrival Down Under, but the deal eventually fell through.
“The club has been in constant discussions with Michael and his representatives, but due to some personal issues, Michael has unfortunately decided not to move to Melbourne,” a Victory spokesperson told News Corp Australia.
The Victory had come to an arrangement with the FFA facilitate Essien’s arrival as a guest marquee player, and the signing of the former African Footballer of the Year would have provided the A-League with yet another international star, follow Tim Cahill’s arrival at Melbourne City.
With AAP
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