According to reports from VoetbalPrimeur’s editor-in-chief Dennie van Laar, the Indonesian Football Association are examining a possible naturalisation process for Royal Antwerp’s Jaïro Riedewald.
Riedewald, who started his career at Ajax and spent seven years at Crystal Palace, could become an important asset to the Indonesian national team.
The 28-year-old who can play in both defence and midfield could join the selection of expected national coach Patrick Kluivert. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 48-year-old former international will be appointed as national coach of the Asian country in the short term. Kluivert is facing a historic mission as Indonesia aims for World Cup qualification for the first time in its history.
Kluivert can get a real potential boost with Riedewald’s switch, as the former Eredivisie and Premier League stalwart has Indonesian roots through his grandmother. He also had the possibility to choose Suriname, but his preference seems to have fallen on Indonesia.
Indonesië zet in op de volgende versterking voor het nationale elftal: drievoudig Oranje-international Jaïro #Riedewald is in beeld. De Indonesische bond werkt hard aan een mogelijke komst van de oud-Ajacied, die kan samenwerken met Patrick #Kluivert 🇮🇩https://t.co/5AvWYjodNp
— Dennie van Laar (@DennievanLaar) January 6, 2025
Riedewald would not be the first player with Dutch roots to choose the Indonesian national team. Well-known names include Maarten Paes (FC Dallas), Eliano Reijnders (PEC Zwolle), Calvin Verdonk (NEC), Thom Haye (Almere City), Ragnar Oratmangoen (FCV Dender) and Mees Hilgers (FC Twente).
VoetbalPrimeur has also reported that Oxford United attacker Ole Romeny, who joined from FC Utrecht this winter, will also soon join the national team.
A 19-year-old Riedewald played three times for the Dutch national team in 2015, yet due to adjusted criteria in the FIFA rules, the player can still switch allegiance.
