Indonesia

Former Chapecoense defender Demerson signs one-year contract with Bali United

Bali United have officially announced former Chapecoense defender Demerson as their first foreign signing for next season.

Demerson is one of the Chapecoense players who did not suffer the tragedy of a plane crash, which killed almost all players and club officials in 2015.

Prior to joining Bali United, Demerson experienced his first spell in South-east Asia football by playing for Sarawak FA last season.

In the 2017 Indonesia Liga 1 runners-up club, the 31-year-old will be bound by a one-year contract.

“For us, he is very suitable with our style of play and he can also play in two positions as a central defender and a defensive midfielder,” said Bali United coach Widodo C. Putro in a press conference on Monday afternoon, as quoted by Indosport.

“I have never seen him play before, but from the videos I saw, I was sure about his quality. I was talking to him for two days, and thought Demerson had an incredible respect, and that is what the club need,” he explained.