Image: AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis
Bandungs football team, Persib, is preparing for the 2017 competition season and the team does not kid around when it comes to getting the best talents in the pool.
Persib officially signed former Real Madrid and Chelsea player Michael Essien today. The 34-year-old was assigned the number 5 jersey.
He arrived at the clubs headquarter, Graha Persib, this morning at around 10.45 a.m and was welcomed by the club manager, Umuh Muchtar.
Umuh said that Essien is a birthday gift for Persibs 84th birthday. We will announce today. This is a gift for everyone. Hes a great player, hes a world player, Umuh said to reporters today.
Coach Djadjang Nurdjaman said that having Essien in his team would be a delightful challenge for him.
Of course Im proud. Im also flattered that I can coach a world-class player whos been in the English League, Italian League and Greek League, he said to the clubs website. This is a challenge for me. His experience is well known. This is a surprise, but hes the kind of player weve been hoping for.
Essien started his career in French club Bastia in 2000 before moving to Olympique Lyon. He then transferred to Chelsea in 2005 and played for nine seasons. Real Madrid borrowed him in 2012-2013. Essien then played for AC Milan in 2014 and Panathinaikos in 2015.
Now hes here, and Indonesian football fans couldnt be more ecstatic though some are also confused how could a player of his calibre end up in a country that currently ranks 167th in FIFA World Ranking.
"Saya sudah pernah memakai jersey samsung dan fly emirates, tapi disponsori kopi abc adalah impian saya sejak kecil"
jek (@jek___) March 14, 2017
-Essien
"I have worn Samsung jersey and Fly Emirates Jersey, but being sponsored by Kopi ABC has been my lifelong dream," Teitter user Jek imagined what was on Essien's mind.
Football commentator Pangeran Siahaan contemplatedwhether Essien is what the club needs right now.
Is Michael Essien the type of player Persib needed? I dont know. You tell me, Persib fans.
Pangeran (@pangeransiahaan) March 14, 2017
But he's the kind of signing the league needed.
While comedian Ernest Prakasa cannot wait until the player adopt thelocal wisdom.
Can't wait till Michael Essien says "Persib nu aing!". Must be super awesome. Smg dia nggak lantas belajar "Wasit goblogh!".
#SetengahJalan (@ernestprakasa) March 14, 2017
But whatever hisreason is, Essien said that hes excited to play in Indonesian league.
I hope this can be a start for other world class players to play in Indonesia. I hope this will be a start of something good for Indonesian football and Persib, he said to the clubs website. Thank you for bringing me here. Im happy and will give you my best.
(brl/red)
