Former Ghana international Michael Essien has revealed that he joined Azerbajaini side Sabail FK because of the club's vision in the coming years.

Essien signed a deal until May 2020 and will assist the coaching staff of the club's Under-19 side as part of his quest for a coaching badge.

According Michael Essien after weeks of discussions with the club, he was attracted by the club's project for the future.

"I was here three weeks ago. Had a good chat with the club and they told me about the project. I thought about it, liked it and here we are," Essien said after signing.

"It's a different thing to what I have seen before. Looks interesting and exciting, so happy to be here," Essien told Sabail's website.

Essien has been a free agent since ending his contract with Indonesian side Persib Bandung in March 2018.

This will be the midfielder's eighth professional club.

Based in the capital Baku, Sabail was founded three years ago and finished seventh in the Azerbaijan league last season.