Essien joins Mourinho at Real Madrid

Michael Essien has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan, while Yossi Benayoun has agreed a return to West Ham.

Midfielder Essien, 29, has been a key player for Chelsea in his six seasons at Stamford Bridge, during which he has won two Premier League titles.

He will be reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho – the man who brought him to west London – at Real.

Benayoun is set to spend the rest of the campaign on loan at Upton Park, where in 2005 he began his career in English football.

The Israeli made 72 appearances for West Ham before moving to Liverpool two years later.