Essien to make Panathinaikos debut

Ghana international Michael Essien is expected to make his debut for Panathinaikos in a club friendly against Udinese next month, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.

This means the 32-year-old former Chelsea star will not be in action for the Greens when they take on Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam which will be Panathinaikos’ last pre-season game in the Netherlands.

Panathinaikos boss Yannis Anastasiou wants Essien to gain match fitness following his long period of inactivity during his spell at AC Milan last season.

Essien has already sat out of two friendly games for Panathinaikos as they demolished Dutch lower-tier side AFC Arnhem 10-0 before losing 2-1 a

gainst Club Brugge.

The former Real Madrid loanee has joined Panathinaikos with hopes of rediscovering his form.