Michael Essien talks about time with Indonesian topflight Persib Bandung

Ghana international Michael Essien has shed light on his one-year spell with Indonesian side Persib Bandung.

The former Chelsea ace joined the Blue Prince in March last year after spending time with Greek outfit Panathinaikos.

He made 29 league appearances, involving 22 starts and five goals, but has left the club after they declined to renew his contract.

“I kind of enjoyed my first season there,” Essien told the Premier League Today programme.

“It’s not an easy place.

“Everything is so different, nothing compared to Europe at all, and we travel so far for games so it’s not easy, but they are very fanatical about football.

“Almost every game the stadium is almost full, they make so much noise so I kind of enjoyed my first year there.”

Essien has played for top European clubs including Spanish giants Real Madrid, Italian outfit AC Milan, French club Lyon and Chelsea, with whom he won two English Premier League titles in 2005-06 and 2009-10, and the Uefa Champions League in 2012.

The 35-year-old first played for Bastia in France after leaving Ghanaian outfit Liberty Professionals.