Young Indonesian star goes to England to play football

Marselino Ferdinan - 19-year-old player of the Indonesian national team has been confirmed to move to Oxford United Club.

Marselino Ferdinan debuts for English Premier League club - Oxford United

Oxford United's homepage - a team playing in the English First Division - has announced that the club has successfully recruited Marselino Ferdinan. The 19-year-old Indonesian midfielder joined Oxford United on a free transfer. This is the second time this young star has played abroad in Europe. Marselino previously played for Deinze in Belgium and had 7 appearances and 1 goal in the 2023-24 season.

At his new club, Marselino was given the number 28 shirt. Notably, Oxford United is currently owned by Erick Thohir - a billionaire and President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI). Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Mr. Thohir created conditions for his country's talented player to go to Europe to "study".

Speaking on his debut day at the English Premier League club, Marselino said: “I am still emotional and can’t believe that I am here. Being one of the few Indonesian players to play in England is a great honor. I will not consider this a guaranteed opportunity (by chairman Erick Thohir), but will give 100% of my ability to prove myself.”

Goalkeeper Maarten Paes is eligible to be called up to the Indonesian national team.

On the Indonesian side, football fans have been receiving good news in recent days. In addition to Marselino's move to England, Shin Tae-yong's team has just received a major boost ahead of the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup in September.

Accordingly, Dutch-born goalkeeper Maarten Paes has been approved by FIFA to play for the Indonesian national team. The reason is that Paes has an Indonesian grandmother and was granted citizenship by the Indonesian government last April. Now, he can join his teammates in the upcoming tough third qualifying round.

HOANG DIEP

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sao-tre-indonesia-sang-anh-choi-bong-post754968.html