Michael Essien's Wife Akosua Puni Buys Italian Football Club Como for £206K

Akosua Puni Essien, the wife of Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien, has purchased Italian football club Como for £206,000 at auction. 

As reported by the Associated Press (h/t the MailOnline), 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."

ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti commented on the purchase, noting the club were in Serie B as recently as last season:

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.

TIMUR MATAHARI/Getty Images

Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Essien has embarked on a new challenge in his career, too. The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with Indonesian team Persib Bandung on Tuesday.