Kweku Essien failed to impress at Hertha BSC, Eintracht Frankfurt, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, SCR Altach and now Sturm Graz. In July the same year, he was loaned out to German second division team VfL Osnabrück, but after six months in Germany he returned to F.C. Maamobi. In August 2008, was sold to F.C. Ashdod in Israel. After eight months in Israel he returned on 12 April 2009 to Ghana and signed with Eleven Wise. In 2006, he was capped two times for the Black Stars. Kweku Essien Essien began his professional career 2003 at Asante Kotoko but left the club in 2005
Michael Essien Lyon, Essien appeared in all but one league match as Lyon were crowned champions for the fourth straight season. The match he missed was as a result of a red card endured in the previous league match. Essien also scored three goals and collected 11 yellow cards, tied for second-worst in the league. His performances in the league resulted in him being voted the 2005 Player of the Year by France's National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). Essien also helped Lyon to reach the quarter-finals of the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League where he put in dynamic performances and scored five