Former West Ham United and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has been released from his Persib Bandung contract after he failed to deliver in the first half of the Indonesian Liga 1 season.

The 33-year-old joined Persib Bandung alongside his former Blues teammate Michael Essien in March, but he failed to score a single goal during his time in the Far East.

Former Ghanaian captain John Mensah admits that Michael Essien is the best player he has played with in the past two decades.

The 34-year-old has features for the likes of Lyon and Rennes in a 16-year career, but he shares a fond relationship with Essien with whom he enjoyed success with the Black Stars.

Greek giants Panathinaikos will reportedly have to pay a hefty sum of €419,000 in order to ongoing dispute between Michael Essien and the club's board.

The former Chelsea man was surprisingly released from his contract in September last year, and he had therein opened up a case with the Greens after they declined to pay him the severance package.

Former Chelsea star Michael Essien believes that Everton striker Romelu Lukaku could work alongside Jose Mourinho at Manchester United despite their differences at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international failed to make the cut under the Special One in west London, and this eventually urged him to pursue a permanent move to Goodison Park.

Persib Bandung midfielder Raphael Maitimo made a special mention of foreign recruits Michael Essien and Carlton Cole after he scored in his side’s 1-0 victory over Persiba Balikpapan in the Indonesian league.

The former Chelsea star made the switch to the less-known Asia league back in March following his release from Panathinaikos earlier last summer. Essien initially faced the prospect of a five-year jail term for illegally participating for the Indonesian club without prior registration with the immigration authorities. However, both he and Carlton Cole have since been allowed to take part in the playing field with the club taking responsibility to resolve the issue.

African soccer stars Michael Essien is set to clash with Didier Zokorain Indonesia.

The ex-Ghana international has played in opposing sides against the Ivorian at Wembley, the Premier League and in the African Nations Cup. They would renew their rivalry when Essien’sPersib Bandung side face Zokora’s Semen Padang in Sumatra.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien brought his long spell in European football to an end after joining up withIndonesian outfit Persib Bandung on a free transfer.

He has moved to the club after spending almost a year on the sidelines without a club. His last action in European football was with Panathinaikos, where he spent almost a year. This is the latest in a string of moves that has seen the midfielder struggled for a permanent position. He has been hit by several injuries for almost a decade. Back in 2007, Essien was regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Michael Essien is a vastly experienced footballer who has made his way through a number of clubs including: Lyon, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Milan just to name a few of the more renowned teams.

The latest club that the 34 year old Ghanaian midfielder joined was Persib Bandung as Michael Essien penned a 1 yearlong contract with Persib Bandung on March 13 of 2017.

Former England striker Carlton Cole has joined former Chelsea star Michael Essien in Indonesian club Persib Bandung, according to reports in England.

The 33-year old player spent a large portion of his professional football career in Premier League side West Ham United. He agreed to a one-year deal and he is expected to feature when the new Liga 1 season starts.

Michael Essien looks all set to join Croatian outfitRadio Rijeka after searching for a club for several months.

The midfielder is reportedly set to sign a new contract with the table leaders in the Croatian league. He has been without a club since leaving Panathinaikos on an acrimonious note back in August. Apart from joining a new club, it looks like Essien will also sue Panathinaikos to the tune of £500,000 in compensation. The midfielder believes that he was not being paid properly by the Greek outfit. However, Panathinaikos argue that the former Chelsea midfielder spent most of his time injured and unable to play.