Essien commits to Chelsea, penning £80,000-a-week five-year deal

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Essien, who joined from Lyon for £24.4m three years ago, had no hesitation in committing his future to Chelsea until 2013 despite interest from Real Madrid and Inter Milan this summer.

The 25-year-old only signed a five-year contract last year, but such is Chelsea's determination to keep the midfielder that they made him an improved offer.

Essien has firmly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world during his time at Stamford Bridge and is now looking to help the club bounce back from the disappointments of last season, where they failed to win a trophy for the first time in four years.

Essien: Shunned the advances of Inter Milan and Real Madrid to stay at Stamford Bridge

The deal for Essien is a strong message of intent from Chelsea and makes him the third player to have agreed new terms in a week after Wayne Bridge and Petr Cech.

The Ghana international, who is set to play in Chelsea's first game of their pre-season tour in Asia against Chinese side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical tomorrow, is now looking forward to battling for his place in Chelsea's midfield.

Manager Luiz Felip Scolari has Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel as well as Essien to choose from.

Essien is happy that Deco, who joined this summer for £7.9m from Barcelona, has arrived and believes it will improve his game.

He said: "When the competition gets keener it brings out the best in players. Last season we signed new players and people thought I could lose my place. But I fought and stayed to maintain it."