New Real Madrid [ Images ] signing Michael Essien [ Images ] is confident he has put a series of serious injuries behind him and is ready to fight for a place in the La Liga [ Images ] side after completing a loan move from Chelsea [ Images ] on Friday.
The versatile 29-year-old Ghana midfielder, who played under Real coach Jose Mourinho at the London [ Images ] club and refers to the Portuguese as "daddy", flew into the Spanish capital and passed his medical on Saturday.
"I have had my injuries but I am in good form now and very strong," a beaming Essien, who will wear the number 15 shirt for the Spanish champions, told reporters.
"If I wasn't ready Real Madrid would not have brought me here," he added.
"Daddy (Mourinho) knows me very well, he brought me to Chelsea, and he knows I can play in any position he wants - except goalkeeper."
Essien's 2011-12 campaign was ruined by a knee injury he sustained in pre-season, the last of three serious setbacks in recent years, and he struggled to win a regular place in the Chelsea starting 11 on his return.
Mourinho has brought Essien into the Real squad to replace France [ Images ] midfielder Lassana Diarra, who sealed a move to wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala on Friday pending a medical.
Essien, who like Diarra can also play at right back, said the call from Mourinho had come as a surprise and the negotiations had been concluded rapidly.
"Everything went very fast and I was in my hotel room and I had a call from my daddy and he said he would be very happy to have me at the club," he said.
"I never thought I would end up here. I was focused on Chelsea and I didn't know that Real Madrid would make a bid for me.
"When Mourinho calls it's more than enough. All I want to do is play football and when he rang me I said yes immediately.
"When I arrived he was at the airport. We were really happy to see each other and I am really looking forward to starting playing and enjoying the football."
Essien signed his one-year loan contract in the presence of Real president Florentino Perez [ Images ] and was given a watch, a Real shirt, a model of the stadium and a fountain pen.
After taking only one point from their opening two matches, Real are looking to get their bid for a second consecutive La Liga title back on track when they host Granada on Sunday.
Mourinho's team claimed their first piece of silverware of the season by beating arch rivals Barcelona [ Images ] on away goals to clinch the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.
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