Michael Essien’s Wife Buys Italian Club,Takes Its Full Possession (photos)

Former Chelsea star Michael Essien’s wife Akosua Puni Essien has purchased Italian football club Como for £206,000 at auction.The club were in Serie B as recently as last season:

The acquisition does not include the club’s board, training ground or the brand. However, Essien’s purchase at the bankruptcy auction will see the club now known as FC Como.

In a statement on their website, Como suggested that the new owner is “honoured to be part of a club which has 110 years of history.”

Como were in the top flight in 2002-03, although three back-to-back relegations plunged the club into a difficult financial position and subsequent bankruptcy. They re-entered the Italian football setup in 2005-06 in Serie D.

After relegation from the second tier last season, Como are pushing for promotion in Serie C1 A and sit eighth in the table.

Their notable former players include Italy’s 1982 FIFA World Cup heroes Paolo Rossi, who made six appearances on loan in 1975-76, and Marco Tardelli, who spent a season at the club before making his move to Juventus in 1976.

The club’s youth setup also produced legendary Azzurri full-back Gianluca Zambrotta, who won the World Cup in 2006 with Italy, and current Lazio and Italy midfielder Marco Parolo.