Persib Bandung hopes to retain the title and represent Indonesia in the Asian competition after the merger of two former Chelsea player, Carlton Cole and Michael Essien.
Cole officially joined Persib Thursday (30/03), while Essien began his first practice in Bandung Lodaya Field.
Coach Persib Bandung, Djadjang Nurdjaman, hoping that the arrival of these two players will strengthen the midfield and front line team, nicknamed Maung Bandung.
"Essien who plays as a midfielder, we need a midfielder capable ... and for Carlton Cole, until now there has been no barren club scorer was good. I hope buildup of Carlton Cole to help the team in terms of scoring this impasse," Djajang told the BBC Indonesia.
Fans welcomed the arrival of two players in league Indonesia.
"Liga Indonesia more excited to watch. Champion is the destination but an exciting and entertaining games more mainstream," said one social media users.
"Hopefully all clubs in League 1 Persib can follow so that the league more interesting .. Indonesian soccer Bravo !," wrote another.
Persib Bandung is the third winner in the President Cup recently and Djajang stated primary purpose is to retain the title and represented Indonesia in Asia.
Persib Bandung won the Indonesian Super League (ISL) in 2014.
"We want to keep this title represent the in the AFC Asian championship. We want to test it further," added Djajang.
Essien, who previously played for Real Madrid and AC Milan is the most famous player who is contracted by the Indonesian football club since the World Cup hero Roger Milla of Cameroon and the World Cup winner Mario Kempes of Argentina who played in the 1990s.
Amenities such as in Africa
Essien last played for Greek club Panathinaikos, and won several titles with Chelsea in a trophy laden nine year spell at the club.
About 1,000 people watched the first day of practice, with Essien wearing his favourite number 5 jerssey, said Julia Alazka, a local journalist who witnessed the exercise Essien.
Every kick of or movement of Essien was accompanied by applause and cheers of the audience.
The club has engaged the services of a bodyguard to secure Essien from invasion from supporters who want to take pictures with him, said Julia.
"Coach told me to rest, not because I am tired," he explained when asked why stop the exercise.
The Ghanaian said he "needs to adapt to the team, and the weather is different and workout facilities were not as good as in Europe."
"He just laughed when I said this is what the condition was here ... and she said she remembered in Africa,"
Reports Media England Essien is set to play his first match for the club in a friendly against Banjarmasin Barito Putra at home on April 5, and the first game of League 1 (the new name ISL) against Arema on 15 April.
A number of newspapers in the United Kingdom reported the merger of these two players to Indonesia by mentioning the reunion of two former Chelsea player.
"Carlton Cole is joined by former teammate Michael Essien in Persib Bandung," wrote Skysport.
The 33-year-old striker who spent much of his career at West Ham said: "I never thought, my career would ake me to Indonesia, this is a great club."
Source: BBC Indonesia