D.Boateng & M.Essien admit finishing their careers in Ghana

Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has revealed that he could potentially finish his professional career in his homeland alongside Michael Essien. Boateng, who has previously won 47 caps for the Black Stars, is presently a free-agent following his exit from OFI Crete earlier in the summer.

In an interview covered by Ghanasoccernet, Boateng revealed that the pair could potentially reunite at the Liberty Professionals, where they began their respective youth careers, he said, "Oh yeah, why not? I don’t have a problem playing in the Ghana Premier League, in fact it is something me and Essien have talked about before. That we should come back home and play for Liberty Professionals before we retire because we really didn’t have a feel of the Ghana league before leaving the shores of Ghana to play in Europe."

While Essien has gone onto to win the Champions League with Chelsea, Boateng has not had the same luck with most of his time spent with European minnows. Despite this, the two could pair up together for one final time with Essien likely to consider his stay in the Indonesian top-flight.

The former Chelsea star joined Liga 1 side Persib Bandung back in March, and he has since been a regular fixture for the club, who have attracted public attention with his presence. Essien's current deal lasts until the end of the current campaign, but Persib have the option of a further 12 months, should it suit both the player and the club.

Both Boateng and Essien have represented Ghana in two of the last three World Cups, but the nation will not make an appearance in next year's global tournament after they were eliminated by Egypt, who topped the qualifying group. The Black Stars nevertheless have the opportunity to celebrate a victory over the Pharaohs when they meet in the final World Cup qualifier next month.