– The Liga 1 – it was previously known as the Indonesian Super League before being renamed in January 2017 – was only founded back in 2008.
– The most successful team in Liga 1’s history is Persipura Jayapura with three titles to their name, but the team Essien has joined – Persib – are actually the reigning champions. They won the competition back in 2014, before the league was abandoned for 2015 due to government disputes.
– Persib, who were founded in 1933, play in the West Java province and have a 38,000 capacity at their ground – the second biggest in Liga 1.
– 18 teams currently participate in Liga 1. The new season is due to start this year but there has been no specific date set as of yet.
– There have been quite a few big names to play in Indonesia over the years, with Cameroon legend Roger Milla and Argentine World Cup winner Mario Kempes plying their trade there, whilst ex-Aston Villa man Lee Hendrie also gave it a go.
– Indonesia’s national team are currently ranked 167th in Fifa’s World Rankings