Carlton Cole signs for Persib Bandung

Former England and West Ham striker Carlton Cole has joined Indonesian side Persib Bandung.

He will be reunited with ex-Chelsea team-mate Michael Essien, who joined the club earlier this month on a one-year contract.

Cole told the club's official website: "I never knew my career would bring me to Indonesia, (but) this is a great club. I want to pay for the support of the fans by scoring a lot of goals.

Cole played for Celtic in the 2015/16 season.

"Essien joining simplified the process for me to come over here. He's a big player in Europe. The Persib fans are great. I'm happy to be here."

Teddy Tjahyono, part of the Persib Bandung management added: "He came Monday night, on Tuesday, we (underwent) negotiations and he passed the medical test on Wednesday. He was ready to join Persib."

The 33-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the option of an extension ahead of the new Liga 1 season, which begins next month.