A south African outfit Cape Town FC have rejected the move for Essien by its recruitment team, according to reports in Africa.

The South African Premier Division are currently placed in the top three but they need a pivot that can help them clinch the title this term. Hence, the suggestion of the veteran, who is a free agent, but the owner of the football club John Comitis threw out the idea.

“We were offered Essien and we did look at the deal quite closely, with regards to what he could bring to our current squad, but in the end we decided against it. Once we weighed everything, it was just not the right move for us,” Comitis said.

The former Chelsea player could have moved to South Africa as he is searching for a team to continue professional football as he does not want to hang up his boots just yet. His former club Panathinaikos FC – not Paniliakos – released the 34-year old after he joined them on a free transfer in the 2015/16 season.

Essien started his career in Ghana with Liberty before he moved to France to play for Bastia at the start of the new millennium. He played for Olympique Lyon as well before his big money move to England. Essien has spent time at Real Madrid and AC Milan as well before his sojourn to Greece.

The Champions League winner has been searching for a club since the summer of last year but he is yet to get a deal. Even though transfer windows are mostly shut, he could get a deal being a free agent.