Answer
Essien moved to France to join Bastia in 2000. He was a promising young player at the time, and he quickly made an impact at the club. He helped them to win the Coupe de la Ligue in 2002, and he was named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in 2003. Essien's performances attracted the attention of bigger clubs, and he eventually moved to Chelsea in 2005.