<
>

Ivorian great Didier Zokora completes Indonesia move

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora has completed a move to Semen Padang, joining the likes of Michael Essien and Peter Odemwingie in the Indonesian top flight.

Zokora, who is best known for a spell in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, has been a free agent since leaving Indian side North East United after spending two seasons in India.

The 36-year-old completed a move to Semen Padang on Monday, according to L'Equipe, and joins the club as their marquee signing.

The Red Buffaloes currently find themselves atop the Indonesian Super Lig, having taken four points from their opening two matches, including a convincing 3-1 victory at Gresik United on Friday.

In moving to Indonesia, Zokora becomes the latest in a growing number of high-profile players to opt for the Super Lig late in their career.

Ghana great Essien and former West Ham United frontman Carlton Cole have joined Persib Bandung, while Odemwingie, Juan Pablo Pino and Shane Smeltz have also moved to the East Asian nation.

Mali international Mohamed Sissoko also signed for top flight Mitra Kukar after his brief spell with Italian Serie B side Ternana ended earlier this year.

With 123 appearances for the Elephants over 15 years, Zokora is the Ivory Coast's record appearance holder, although he retired before the West Africans' Nations Cup success in 2015.

The Abidjan-born midfielder began his career at the fabled ASEC Mimosas in his homeland, before moving to Europe with Racing Genk.

After two seasons with Saint-Etienne in France, he moved to Spurs, with whom he won the League Cup in 2008.

His time in England was followed by spells with Sevilla -- where he won the Copa del Rey in 2010 -- before a move to Turkey with Trabzonspor and then Akhisar Belediyespor.