Indonesian midfielder breaks Southeast Asian transfer record

Indonesia's Jay Idzes has officially broken the Southeast Asian football transfer record, after completing a move from Venezia to Serie A side Sassuolo for a record fee.

According to reputable Italian sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Sassuolo spent about 9.3 million USD (equivalent to 244 billion VND) to get the signature of this 25-year-old defender. The contract is valid until June 2029.

The deal is part of a double deal worth a total of €11-12m, which also sees Sassuolo sign Idzes' Venezia team-mate Fali Cande.

The $9.3 million fee for Jay Idzes has officially made him the most expensive player in Southeast Asian football history. The previous record belonged to Thai star Chanathip Songkrasin when he moved to Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) in 2022 for about $3.8 million.

This transfer marks a huge step forward in Idzes' career. He will continue to play in Serie A, one of Europe's top leagues.

Last season, he was a key player for Venezia, making 35 appearances in Serie A. Although the team failed to stay in the top flight, his individual performances attracted the attention of several clubs, including Torino, before Sassuolo won the race for his signature.

Jay Idzes, born in 2000 in the Netherlands and of Indonesian descent, came through the youth ranks at PSV Eindhoven before playing professionally for Go Ahead Eagles and then Venezia.

Since making his debut for the Indonesian national team in March 2024, he has quickly become a mainstay and has been trusted with the captain's armband.