Chelsea legend visits Hungarian town: Welcomed with a St Martin’s Day feast at the local inn
Some lucky residents of Orosháza were surprised to spot an unusual visitor: Michael Essien, the legendary Chelsea midfielder known as “The Bison,” appeared in the town. The multiple Premier League and Champions League winner was seen at the Aranypatkó Csárda, where he happily posed for photos with astonished guests. But what brought the Ghanaian world-class player to Orosháza? The story begins with a talented young footballer.
Football has always been a way of life for the Pisont family. Richárd Pisont has long been involved in the sport both as a player and a coach, while his son, also named Richárd – or Ricsi, as everyone calls him – began his career on the pitch of OMTK-ULE. From there, he progressed to the Budapest Honvéd Academy, then on to England, where he received trials at clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Everton, according to OrosCafé.
Chelsea icon immediately noticed Ricsi
It was during Ricsi’s time in England that the unexpected encounter occurred. Michael Essien happened to be in the stands at a Blackburn vs Derby County match, where he immediately picked up on the young Hungarian’s impressive performance. The Chelsea legend not only congratulated him but, after a later match against Cardiff City, personally requested that contact be established. Since retiring, Essien has been working as a football agent – and also owns a stake in Italian club Como – constantly seeking new talent.
Ricsi was subsequently added to a scouting database of around 6,000 youth players, where his performance quickly stood out. The connection didn’t end there: videos and data were requested, and a few months ago Essien indicated that he wished to travel to Hungary in person. As it turned out, he had never visited the country before, making it an even greater honour for the Pisont family that Ricsi was the main reason for his first trip.
After signing a contract in Budapest, Essien travelled on to Orosháza to handle matters related to the young talent. His hosts showed him around the area and the OMTK-ULE sports complex, which the global football star found particularly impressive.
The visit concluded with a St Martin’s Day feast at the Aranypatkó Csárda, where Essien cheerfully chatted with staff and diners, gladly posing for photos. The trip was not only memorable for the locals but may also prove a major milestone in Ricsi’s budding career. The goal is clear: to help the talented young player secure a move abroad – now with the support of a true football icon.
Featured image: Facebook/Aranypatkó Csárda