Essien rejected by Cluj due to age

According to manager Edward Iordănescu, Romanian club Cluj rejected the idea of signing Michael Essien because he is too old. The 35-year-old was once known for being one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football, but now, more than a decade on, it seems as if his career is on the verge of coming to an end.

The former Ghana international has been without a club for a few months now after his run in Indonesia came to an end following a twelve-month stint with Persib Bandung. During the peak of his career, Essien spent nine years with English giants Chelsea, played more than twenty games on loan for Real Madrid, and also spent time with AC Milan. Essien represented Ghana in two World Cups, although throughout the majority of his career, he suffered from a series of injuries which significantly impacted his ability to have long runs of success with any of his teams.