Photos: Essien joins Indonesian side Persib Bandung

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien has joined Indonesia’s Persib Bandung.

The ex-Ghana international, 34, has been without a club for six months after leaving Panathinaikos of Greece in 2016 and has been training with Chelsea’s reserve team.

Essien, who turned down a move to Australia’s Melbourne Victory last September, spent eight seasons at Chelsea, winning two English Premier League and one UEFA Champions League titles.

Indonesian media reported on Tuesday that Essien has signed a one-year deal at the start of the new league season with an option to extend for one more.

Indonesia has attracted few big names international players in the past. Mario Kempes and Roger Milla, stars of the 1978 and 1990 World Cups respectively, had short spells in the country at the very end of their lengthy careers.