England's Chelsea has reached a deal with AC Milan to sell Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien, who has travelled to Italy to finalise the contract details, the London club said Saturday.

 

 Essien, 31, who came to Chelsea in 2005 in what was the most expensive signing in soccer history, has played in nine games this season for the Blues since returning to the club after spending last year on loan at Real Madrid.

 

 "Essien has travelled to Italy and the completion of the move is subject to him agreeing personal terms with Milan and passing a medical examination," Chelsea said in a statement on its website.

 

 The Ghanaian midfielder has played in 250 matches for Chelsea since being signed by the Premier League club in 2005 from Lyon for a 24.4-million-pound transfer fee.

 

 He has spent a lot of time on the sidelines, however, due to injury. AC Milan is looking for a spark after getting off to an inconsistent start in the 2013-14 season. The Red and Blacks are currently 11th in the Italian-league standings, a whopping 35 points behind first-place Juventus.

 

 The team, however, has qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League and will take on Spanish side Atletico Madrid starting Feb 19 in the round of 16.