Indonesia international defender Calvin Verdonk has written his name into the history books after completing a move to French giants Lille on September 1, becoming the first player from the Southeast Asian nation to feature in Ligue 1.
Lille turned to Verdonk as part of a defensive overhaul following the departures of Mitchel Bakker, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Bafodé Diakité to Atalanta, Leeds United, and Bournemouth, respectively. The 27-year-old arrives from NEC Nijmegen in a deal worth €3 million, joining fellow new recruits Nathan Ngoy from Standard Liège and Romain Perraud from Real Betis.
A versatile defender capable of operating both as a left-back and a center-back, Verdonk is viewed as a like-for-like successor to Gudmundsson. Known for his progressive play, high stamina, and ability to contribute in attack with overlapping runs and assists, he also brings tactical flexibility and leadership qualities that Lille manager Bruno Génésio can draw upon in multiple systems.
On the same day, Lille also unveiled Congolese international Chancel Mbemba — formerly of Newcastle United, FC Porto, and Marseille — alongside Verdonk, underscoring the club’s commitment to reinforcing their backline.
Verdonk’s arrival in France also marks a new milestone for Indonesian football, with the nation now boasting four representatives across Europe’s top five leagues. Jay Idzes and Emil Audero ply their trade in Serie A with Sassuolo and Cremonese, while Kevin Diks recently sealed a move to Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach.