Former Black Stars of Ghana’s midfielder, Michael Essien, is set to lose two of his houses after a court ordered that they be put up for sale.
The properties are located at the Stephen Quarshie Crescent, East Legon, House Number 9 and House Number 204/205, Trassaco (Phase 2) Adjiringano, all in Accra, Ghana.
According to the auctioneer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, one of the properties ranges between $20m and $30m.
It is gathered that despite Essien’s lucrative football career, he has faced challenges in his business and investments after retiring from professional football.
Essien’s current financial troubles are said to be due to large loans he took from different banks and financial institutions in Ghana.
Essien broke through when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Cup in New Zealand and was for Ghana, as European scouts began to take notice.
He had a trial at Manchester United in April 2000 and played in United’s under-17 team’s defeat to Derby County.
United offered him a contract, but he was ineligible to obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom and therefore considered joining Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp until he was eligible to move to England
However, his mother meanwhile preferred a move to France instead.
In July 2000, Essien was signed by French Division 1 club Bastia and made his debut for the club on 30 September 2000 in a league match against Metz, appearing as a substitute.
He left Bastia for Lyon in 2003 and spent two seasons at the French giant before moving to Premier League heavyweights Chelsea where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.
He made his debut for the Black Stars in 2002 appeared at the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups before announcing his retirement from international football in 2018.
