Indonesia is actively calling up players of Indonesian descent to strengthen the Garuda national team. These players, who carry Indonesian heritage from various parts of the world, are currently playing for prominent clubs with promising market values.
In this article, we will explore their Indonesian lineage, their careers at respective clubs, and their market values, which reflect their immense potential in international football. Get ready for an exciting journey filled with interesting stories about these heritage stars!
Maarten Paes
Maarten Paes, also known as Maarten Vincent, is a Dutch-Indonesian goalkeeper who gained attention after his performances against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Since joining FC Dallas in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2022, with a market value of 1.5 million euros, he has become one of the promising players for the Indonesian national team.
Born in the Netherlands on May 14, 1998, Paes's Indonesian roots come from his grandmother, who was from Pare, Kediri, East Java. Although not a direct Indonesian descendant, Paes's grandmother lived in Indonesia for approximately five to six years and was known as a blijver (an individual who chose to settle in the Dutch East Indies after arriving from Europe).
His grandmother, who experienced World War II and lived in Spanish-Japanese refugee camps, often shared positive stories about Indonesia, which shaped Maarten's view of the country. In honor of his late grandmother, Paes chose to represent the Indonesian national team, which he believes has great potential to compete in the Olympic and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Jay Idzes
Jay Idzes, a defender for the Indonesian national team, has made history as the first player from Indonesia and Southeast Asia to play in Italy's top soccer league, Serie A. The 23-year-old was born in Mierlo, Netherlands, and currently plays for Venezia FC.
On the official Instagram account of the Indonesian national team, Idzes revealed that his maternal grandparents were born and raised in Indonesia and lived there for over 20 years. According to Transfermarkt, Idzes’s current market value is 2.5 million euros.
Mees Hilgers
Recently, Indonesia received exciting news with the inclusion of Mees Hilgers, who will strengthen the Garuda team alongside Eliano Reijnders as part of PSSI’s naturalization program.
Mees Hilgers, a strong defender for FC Twente, has Indonesian roots through his mother, Linda Tombeng, who hails from Manado, North Sulawesi. With a market value of 7 million euros, Hilgers is currently the most valuable player in Southeast Asia.
If the naturalization process goes smoothly, Hilgers and Reijnders are expected to strengthen the Indonesian national team in matches against Bahrain (October 5) and China (October 10) in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Eliano Reijnders
Eliano Reijnders, whose full name is Eliano Reijnders Lekatompessy, is a footballer with Indonesian heritage from his mother, Angelina Lekatompessy, who is from Maluku. Angelina married a Dutchman, making Eliano part of a family with a mixed cultural background.
Eliano is the younger brother of Tijjani Reijnders, a midfielder for the Dutch national team who currently plays for AC Milan, and they both share the Lekatompessy family name. Unlike his brother, Eliano chose to represent the Indonesian national team. Their father, Martin Reijnders, is also a former Dutch footballer.
Eliano currently plays for PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie, with a market value of around 650,000 euros, according to Transfermarkt.
Calvin Verdonk
Calvin Verdonk is of Indonesian descent through his father, Ronald Alting Siberg, who was born in Meulaboh, Aceh on February 6, 1958 and is an Indonesian citizen. His father's family is also from Meulaboh. His mother, Tamara Verdonk, was born in Dordrecht on September 18, 1975.
Verdonk currently plays for NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch Eredivisie. A product of Feyenoord's academy, he has built a solid professional career with nearly 200 appearances in the Dutch and Portuguese top-flight at the age of 26. According to Transfermarkt, Verdonk has a market value of 2.5 million euros.
Sandy Walsh
Born in Brussels, Belgium, Sandy Henny Walsh officially became an Indonesian citizen in November 2022. His Indonesian heritage comes from his maternal grandparents, Brigitta Portier, whose grandfather was born in Surabaya and grandmother in Purworejo before they moved to the Netherlands. His father, Gary Walsh, is of Irish and Swiss descent.
Walsh expressed his love for Indonesia, which is not only tied to the national team, but also to his personal happiness and the comfort of the climate when he's there. Although he plays football for a living, he emphasized that his desire to become an Indonesian citizen was not driven by material gain, but by a sense of pride and love for Indonesia.
Since 2020, Walsh has been playing for KV Mechelen in the Belgian league and previously represented the Dutch national team from U15 to U20, including being part of the U17 team that won the U17 European Championship in Slovenia in 2012. According to Transfermarkt, Sandy Walsh is valued at 1.3 million euros.
Shayne Pattynama
Shayne Elian Jay Pattynama, better known as Shayne Pattynama, was born on August 11, 1998 in Lelystad, Netherlands. He is a talented footballer who trained at the Ajax and FC Utrecht academies.
With mixed Moluccan heritage from his father, Pattynama officially became an Indonesian citizen in early 2023 and joined the Indonesian national team as a naturalized player. Currently, Pattynama, a left back who stands at 180 cm tall, plays for Belgian club KAS Eupen.
His decision to represent Indonesia was heavily influenced by his late father. Pattynama has stressed that his efforts with the national team are not only for the country, but also as a way to honor his father. Shayne Pattynama is valued at 500,000 Euros according to Transfermarkt.
Justin Hubner
Justin Hubner, who has Indonesian heritage through his father, Patrick Rudolf Hubner, is a Dutch citizen of Indonesian descent. Hubner's grandfather was born in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Before becoming an Indonesian citizen, Hubner represented the Netherlands at the U-19 and U-20 levels.
The left-back now plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers' U21 side in the English league. The addition of Hubner to the Garuda squad will strengthen the Indonesian national team. According to Transfermarkt, Justin Hubner has a market value of 350,000 Euros.
Nathan Tjoe-A-On
Born in Rotterdam on December 22, 2001, Nathan Tjoe-A-On has Indonesian roots through his grandfather, who hails from Semarang in Central Java. A naturalized citizen, Tjoe-A-On quickly became a key figure for coach Shin Tae-yong and made his senior debut against Vietnam in the Asian Zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. He is currently a full-time player for Swansea City in England and on loan at SC Heerenveen, with a market value of around €350,000 according to Transfermarkt.
Nathan Tjoe-A-On, who officially became an Indonesian citizen on March 11, 2024, is a footballer of Indonesian-Dutch descent. Before strengthening the Indonesian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, his call-up to the 2024 Asian U-23 Championship faced some challenges.
PSSI chairman Erick Thohir had to intervene to negotiate with SC Heerenveen to allow Tjoe-A-On to be loaned out for the quarterfinal match against South Korea. After a successful negotiation, Tjoe-A-On was allowed to play until the end of the tournament and is now contributing to the World Cup qualifiers.
Ivar Jenner
After officially becoming an Indonesian citizen in May 2023, Ivar Jenner immediately made his debut in FIFA Matchday matches against Palestine and Argentina. Since then, he has consistently been a key player in the Indonesian midfield.
Ivar Jenner is of Indonesian descent through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Jember, East Java, while his mother is a Dutch national. Currently, the player, who also plays for FC Utrecht, has a market value of 350,000 euros according to Transfermarkt.
Thom Haye
Thom Haye, a midfielder for SC Heerenveen, is of Indonesian descent through his paternal grandparents. His grandfather was born in Solo, Central Java, on December 30, 1925, while his grandmother was born in Kawangkoan, Minahasa Regency, on September 21, 1933.
Born in Amsterdam on February 9, 1995, Haye is 187 cm tall. He officially became an Indonesian citizen in April 2023. With a market value of 3 million euros according to Transfermarkt, Haye continues to show his quality in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Rafael Struick
Rafael William Struick, better known as Rafael Struick, was born on March 27, 2003 in Leidschendam, the Netherlands. He has Indonesian ancestry from both of his parents. His father, Brian Struick, is a Dutch citizen of Indonesian descent, while his mother, Soraya Noraly Soedito, has Surinamese and Javanese roots.
The 21-year-old, who stands 180 cm tall, joined Brisbane Roar on a free transfer from ADO Den Haag, as announced by Brisbane Roar's official website on September 16. According to Transfermarkt, Rafael Struick's market value is 90,000 Euros.
Ragnar Oratmangoen
Ragnar Oratmangoen, often called Wak Haji, is a footballer of Moluccan descent. This lineage comes from his father, Philip Oratmangoen, a Moluccan who married a Dutch woman, Maya Timmers. His grandfather, born in Ambon on November 3, 1925, is a native of Maluku Province, specifically Fordata District, Tanimbar Islands Regency.
Ragnar was born in Oss, the Netherlands on January 21, 1998 and currently plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie on loan from Groningen. Ragnar is 1.80 meters tall and plays as a right winger, although he can also play as an attacking midfielder. According to Transfermarkt, Ragnar Oratmangoen is valued at 450,000 Euros.
Jordi Amat
Jordi Amat, born in Barcelona on March 21, 1992, is a footballer of mixed Indonesian and Spanish descent. His Indonesian roots come from his father, who was born on the island of Siau in North Sulawesi. His father, Jordi Amat Manalang Doelag Kansil, was the King of Siau who ruled from 1895 to 1909.
Although he grew up in Spain, Amat has maintained ties to his family's heritage in Indonesia. He is currently continuing his soccer career in the Malaysian Super League with Johor Darul Ta'zim, who he joined on a free transfer. Jordi Amat has a market value of 800,000 Euros according to Transfermarkt.
(Updated on September 18, 2024)
