Michael Essien executive, Zainuri Hasyim said that Persib have now released Essien because the club already filling their maximum quota of foreign players based on the PSSI's regulation. Essien's international career started with the Ghana under-17 national team, the "Black Starlets", when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand and won the bronze medal. In 2001, despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, Essien participated in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship with the "Black Satellites" in Argentina, where the nation finished runners-up to Argentina. His exceptional performances captured the attention of many and
Emmanuel "Mannie" Essien signed to Rayramon Records Australia, and released his debut single in 2015 called "Moving On" featuring musician Ray Ramon and DJ Andromeda from the U.K. The music was co-written by Jenny Ramon from Australia. "Moving On" has received airplay on radio stations in Nigeria, Australia, and the UK. In 2014, his show "Good Morning Nigeria Show" was awarded the most outstanding radio show in the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. He also won favourite On Air Personality at Hollywood's Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards in Hollywood USA in March, 2015. Essien is married to Grace Edewede Essien with whom he has two