Southeast Asian football is gaining increasing attention as the market value of its players continues to rise. According to Transfermarkt data as of December 2024, Indonesia dominates the list of the most valuable players in ASEAN, with seven out of the top ten spots held by members of the Garuda squad.
This dominance is clear evidence of the rapid development of Indonesian football talent on the regional stage.
At the top of the list is Mees Hilgers, a center-back for FC Twente and the Indonesian national team, with a market value of €9 million. This figure has surged dramatically from €5 million at the end of 2023, reflecting his impressive performances at the club level and his significant contributions to the national team.
In second place, Kevin Diks holds a market value of €4.5 million, followed by Jay Idzes in third with €3 million. The increase in market value highlights that players of Indonesian descent are not only key assets on the field but also attract considerable interest in the transfer market.
In addition to Indonesian players, the list also features two Thai stars—Supachai Chaided and Chanathip Songkrasin—and Malaysia’s defensive mainstay, Dion Cools. Their presence underscores the intensifying competition in ASEAN football, with many players excelling in both domestic and international leagues.
This is the list of the 10 most valuable ASEAN football players as of December 2024 according to Transfermarkt:
Rank | Player | Market Value (Euro/US Dollar) | Country | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mees Hilgers | €9.00 million / US$9.4 million | Indonesia | FC Twente |
2 | Kevin Diks | €4.50 million / US$4.7 million | Indonesia | FC Copenhagen |
3 | Jay Idzes | €3.00 million / US$3.13 million | Indonesia | Venezia FC |
4 | Calvin Verdonk | €2.50 million / US$2.61 million | Indonesia | NEC Nijmegen |
5 | Maarten Paes | €1.80 million / US$1.87 million | Indonesia | FC Dallas |
6 | Thom Haye | €1.50 million / US$1.56 million | Indonesia | Almere City |
7 | Supachai Chaided | €1.20 million / US$1.25 million | Thailand | Buriram United FC |
8 | Sandy Walsh | €1.00 million / US$1.04 million | Indonesia | KV Mechelen |
9 | Chanathip Songkrasin | €1.00 million / US$1.04 million | Thailand | BG Pathum United FC |
10 | Dion Cools | €800k / US$835k | Malaysia | Buriram United FC |