Persija Jakarta managed to pull off one of the biggest transfers of the 2022/23 Liga 1 Indonesia off-season, after they have signed Czech Republic international defender Ondrej Kudela on a 3-year deal from Slavia Prague.
Kudela’s signing meant that Persija have already filled two out of their four foreign player slots. Previously the Macan Kemayoran have retained the services of Malian playmaker Makan Konate for the upcoming 2022/23 season. The veteran 35-year old defender was tied down on a 3-year deal that lasts until at least 2025.
Persija head coach Thomas Doll welcomed Kudela’s arrival, praising the defender’s versatility and experience.
“He’s solid at the back, has excellent mentality, and a model professional,” said Doll, as quoted from CNN Indonesia, “He’s also a registered Czech international who has recently turned out in the Nations League. His wealth of experience will most definitely make him a role model for Persija’s youngsters.”
Kudela has spent the last five years of his career with Czech giants Slavia, playing 98 league matches and scoring 14 goals. With the Slávisté, Kudela won three Czech First League and three Czech Cup titles, all of them won between 2017 and 2021.
Kudela also has a wealth of experience in European football, both club level and with the Czech national team. With Slavia, Kudela had taken on the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Romelu Lukaku in the UEFA Champions League, as well as representing the Czech Republic in both the Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers.
However, Kudela is more infamous within the international football community for his racial abuse of Glasgow Rangers’ Glen Kamara when Slavia took on the Gers in the Europa League back in the 2020/21 campaign. Kudela received a 10-match ban for his actions, which ruled him out of Euro 2020.