Michael Essien joins Panathinaikos in pre-season training

Ghana international Michael Essien has begun pre-season training with his new club Panathinaikos last week for the 2015/16 Greek Super League.

The 32-year-old enforcer and the rest of his new team-mates underwent a series of fitness tests ahead of a busy pre-season schedule.

Panathinaikos are set to embark on their pre-season campaign early next month which will focus mainly in the Netherlands specifically Arnhem between July 3rd and 12th.

Essien joined the Greek giants in a bid to recapture his lost form and he is expected to play a crucial role in their campaign.

The ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid star who joined from AC Milan is expected to make his debut for the club when Panathinaikos play their first pre-season game of the season against Vitesse Arnhem and other games involving Belgian side Club Brugge and Ajax Amsterdam.