Indonesian National Team Defender, Jay Idzes, made football history by making his debut for Venezia in Serie A. Jay started in the match against Fiorentina during an away match at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Italy on the second matchday on August 25.
This achievement is a milestone not only for Indonesia but also for Southeast Asian football. Jay Idzes is the first player from Southeast Asia to play in Serie A, an achievement that raises Indonesia's profile on the international football stage and serves as an inspiration for young players across the region.
Italian Giants Compete for His Talent
Jay Idzes, a key defender for the Indonesian national team, is known to have a market value of 2.5 million euros (approximately $2.7 million), although the details of his transfer to Venezia have not been officially announced. Prior to joining Venezia, three Serie A clubs - Torino, Fiorentina and AC Monza - were reportedly vying for his talent.
Previously, Jay officially joined Serie B side Venezia FC on June 30, 2023 with a four-year contract and quickly became one of the club's key players. Jay put in an impressive performance throughout the 2023/24 season. The 24-year-old made 30 appearances and scored three goals for Venezia.
Jay's profile rose after he helped Venezia FC secure promotion from Serie B to Serie A for the 2024/25 season. His consistent defensive play and composure at the back made him a target for several Serie A clubs, becoming a key factor in attracting the interest of big clubs in Italy.
Career Journey
Jay officially became an Indonesian citizen in December 2023 and made his debut for the Indonesian national team against Vietnam in March 2024.
Born in Mierlo, North Brabant Province on June 2, 2000, Jay began his football career at the Mifano Academy, where he learned the basics of the sport. His rapidly developing talent caught the attention of PSV scouts and at the age of 15, Jay joined PSV. At the PSV academy, he began to take football seriously and showed great dedication in training.
After leaving PSV in 2014, Jay played for VVV-Venlo until 2016 and then joined FC Eindhoven, where he made his senior debut in 2018 and played 54 times. Jay then joined Go Ahead Eagles for the 2020-2021 season, where he helped the team win promotion to the Eredivisie.
Then in the 2023-2024 season, Jay embarked on his adventure with Venezia, making 25 appearances in Serie B and helping the team secure promotion to Serie A, the highest level of Italian football.
Future Potential: A Quality Defender with Game Intelligence
With a height of 1.9 meters and a strong physique, Jay is a solid central defender who is good in the air and accurate with short passes. Despite his height, he relies more on his intelligence to read the direction of the ball than on aggressive tackling.
Eusebio Di Francesco, Venezia's coach, had a special word for Jay Idzes, who plays primarily as a defender but is also capable of playing in a variety of midfield positions - right, center, or left. Di Francesco stated that Jay has the potential to be a creative player and shows great promise for continued development.
"He is a creative and dynamic player, I like him and he is always eager to improve," said Eusebio Di Francesco as quoted by Tutto Venezia Sports.
