Chelsea great Michael Essien is enjoying his unique coaching post at FC Nordsjaelland.

Essien joined the Danish club's staff as a 'training ground' coach, with the Ghanaian working with the players on the pitch.

"I chose to come to FCN because it was a fantastic opportunity that was given to me by Tom Vernon and Flemming Pedersen. I like the way they and the club think," he told Bold.

"This is first and foremost about the development of the players on and off the field, and that, I think, is a very exciting and interesting approach.

"I knew a lot about the club because I have been good friends with Tom Vernon since I was 18 years old, and for the last three or four years he has talked and told a lot about FCN.

"A few weeks ago I made the decision to finally come and visit the club, and in the days I spent here, I got a clear impression of the project. I really like it, so I decided to stay and both learn and contribute."