Players of Indonesian origin in Europe usually are not just bizarre footballers; embody the talent, perseverance and proud identity that has attracted increasing public attention over the past twenty years. From elite academies to skilled leagues and even international competitions, they’ve proven that Indonesian blood can compete at the very best level.
But beyond the goals, debuts and achievements lies a deeper story: a tale of identity decisions, national loyalties and latest hopes for the long run of Indonesian football. To higher understand this inspiring journey, let’s take a have a look at probably the most successful players of Indonesian origin in Europe and their extraordinary contributions.
Read also: Indonesian National Team: From ASEAN to the World Stage
List of players of Indonesian origin with careers in Europe
1. Calvin Verdonk (Lille)
Calvin Verdonk is a flexible defender who can play as a left or center back. Born within the Netherlands and of Indonesian descent, he currently plays for Lille within the French Ligue 1, after previously representing NEC Nijmegen and several other Dutch clubs equivalent to Feyenoord, PEC Zwolle and Twente. His long profession within the Eredivisie became a very important foundation before entering the tougher competitions in European football.
During his tenure at NEC Nijmegen between 2022 and 2025, Verdonk consistently made around 89 appearances and scored three goals. While on loan to other Dutch clubs, he also scored several goals, showing his skills not only as a defender but in addition in supporting attacks.
In terms of achievements, Verdonk won the KNVB Cup with Feyenoord and was named within the Eredivisie Team of the Month on multiple occasions, clearly recognizing his quality. All these achievements confirm Verdonek’s position as one of the vital consistent players of Indonesian origin in Europe.
2. Kevin Diks (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Kevin Diks, a flexible defender of Ambonese-Indonesian origin, currently plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach within the Bundesliga. Before moving to Germany, he played for FC Copenhagen in Denmark, Fiorentina in Italy and Dutch clubs Vitesse and Feyenoord. His flexibility in defensive positions has made him a reliable option for a lot of teams.
In the 2025/2026 season, Diks made his Bundesliga debut against Hamburg. His best performances were seen with FC Copenhagen, where he was an everyday within the domestic league and European competitions equivalent to the UEFA Conference League. Interestingly, he was trusted at the same time as a penalty taker, which is an unusual trait for a defender.
His distinctions include winning the Danish league and the Danish Cup with Copenhagen. Thanks to his consistency and resilience, Diks stands out as one of the vital successful players of Indonesian origin in Europe.
3. Mees Hilgers (FC Twente)
Mees Hilgers, a Dutch-born central defender with Indonesian roots, is a key figure for FC Twente within the Eredivisie. Since joining the primary team, he has been solid in defense while contributing to constructing attacks from the back.
By the tip of the 2024/2025 season, Hilgers had made roughly 111 appearances for Twente, scoring three goals. In his last season alone, he played 26 league matches, spending 1,953 minutes on the pitch, including a header goal after a corner kick in a 5-0 win over Heracles. His performances prove that he isn’t only a pure defender, but in addition a threat within the opponent’s penalty area.
Outside of the Eredivisie, Hilgers has also featured in European competitions equivalent to the UEFA Europa League and Champions League qualifiers. His consistency and stability make him one of the vital outstanding defenders of Indonesian origin in Europe.
4. Jay Idzes (Sassuolo)
Jay Noah Idzes, a Dutch-born center back of Indonesian descent, currently plays for Sassuolo in Serie A. He previously represented Go Ahead Eagles within the Eredivisie and impressed with Italian side Venezia. His journey reflects the characteristics of a contemporary defender – excellent reading of the sport and accurate distribution of the ball.
For Go Ahead Eagles, Idzes made 84 appearances and scored two goals. After moving to Venezia, he played 60 matches, scored 4 goals and played a key role in leading the team to promotion to Serie A through the play-offs. He made his debut for Sassuolo within the 2025/2026 season and has already played in several early matches.
Helping the club secure promotion to the highest flight highlights its ability to perform at an elite level. Idzes is currently seen as one of the vital promising players of Indonesian origin in Europe, inspiring young talents with similar dreams.
5. Emil Audero (Cremonian)
Emil Audero, an Indonesian goalkeeper of Italian origin, is one of the vital successful players with Nusantara blood in Europe. A product of the Juventus academy, he later became a mainstay for Sampdoria in Serie A. He also had loan spells at Venezia and Inter Milan before joining Cremonese.
During his time at Sampdoria, Audero remodeled 160 Serie A appearances and kept dozens of unpolluted sheets. At Cremonese within the 2025/2026 season, he once more showed his quality, making key interventions. One of his best moments got here in the primary match against AC Milan, where his heroic performance secured the victory.
Experienced goalkeeper Audero was often included within the weekly Serie A best eleven due to his impressive performances. His status clearly places him amongst probably the most successful players of Indonesian descent in European football.
Read also: Menyala Garuda: Get to Know the Indonesian Descent Player Who Lights Up the Team!
Follow the journey of players of Indonesian origin in Europe!
Players of Indonesian origin equivalent to Calvin Verdonk, Kevin Diks, Mees Hilgers, Jay Idzes and Emil Audero have proven that Nusantara blood can shine on the international football stage. Through exertions, discipline and opportunity, they’ve built careers in Europe’s top leagues while inspiring the event of Indonesian football.
Their success isn’t just on account of personal achievements – it symbolizes Indonesia’s progress within the eyes of the football world. Let us proceed to support their journey, from nurturing young local talent in academies to following the careers of players of Indonesian origin in Europe, in order that they’ll earn their rightful place within the hearts of Indonesian football fans.
Reference:
- Transfer market. #24 Calvin Verdonek. https://www.transfermarkt.co.id/calvin-verdonk/profil/spieler/258364
- Transfer market. #4 Kevin Diks. https://www.transfermarkt.co.id/kevin-diks/profil/spieler/335209
- Transfer market. #21 Jay Idzes. https://www.transfermarkt.co.id/jay-idzes/profil/player/546926
- Transfer market. #2 Mees Hilgers. https://www.transfermarkt.co.id/mees-hilgers/profil/player/562702
- Transfer market. #1 Emil Audero. https://www.transfermarkt.co.id/emil-audero/profil/spieler/256339
