Borussia Mönchengladbach have secured the services of versatile Indonesia international Kevin Diks from the summer of 2025. But who exactly is the man who could make Bundesliga history next term? bundesliga.com gives you the lowdown...

Data correct as of 28 January 2025

Kevin Diks

Age: 28 (born 6 October 1996)
Club: Copenhagen (Borussia Mönchengladbach from 1 July 2025)
Position: Defender
Country: Indonesia (one cap)

Key stats

Diks will join Gladbach on a five-year contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign as the Foals look to boost their back line. After two appearances for Fiorentina in 2016/17, it has been a long journey back to Europe's top five leagues for the 28-year-old, but has proven his worth with several clubs and in different positions, suggesting Gladbach have made a shrewd move in acquiring his services.

Born in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, Diks was first spotted by local side Vitesse Arnhem as a nine-year old and subsequently spent his entire youth there. After featuring 10 times for the U19s in 2013/14, Diks was already part of the first-team squad by the start of the following campaign, making his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Zwolle in August 2014. Although he spent the first half of the season in and out of the starting XI, he made the right-back spot his own from the January, starting each of the final 15 Eredivisie matches.

Following an impressive subsequent term, he was snapped up by Fiorentina in the summer of 2016, but returned on loan to his former employers just six months later. That turned out to be a good move for all involved, as Diks helped Vitesse win the Dutch Cup, even providing an assist in the final despite playing just two minutes. Fiorentina appeared reluctant to let him move on permanently, and sent him on loan to Feyenoord for 2017/18, where he made 31 appearances and won a second Dutch Cup.

A wasted year at Empoli followed before Diks had to prove himself again, this time at Danish outfit Aarhus. There, he first displayed his goalscoring ability, scoring eight goals in 30 appearances and therefore attracting the attention of domestic powerhouse Copenhagen. He has since become an integral part of the back four, whether at right-back, left-back or in the middle, and has continued to find the back of the net an impressive rate - he has been on the scoresheet nine times in 2024/25 already, with all coming from the penalty spot. He also has two Danish Superliga titles and a Danish cup to his name.

Despite picking up 16 Netherlands caps at youth level, a call-up to a training camp in 2018 is the closest Diks got to a senior appearance. However, through his mother, he is able to play for Indonesia and made his debut in a 4-0 defeat to Japan in November 2024.

Diks has one Indonesia cap to his name. - IMAGO/ATSUSHI TOKUMARU

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Plays a bit like... Joe Scally

Diks is a versatile defender, much like current Gladbach man Scally. While the USA international is predominantly used at right-back, he has been called up to slot in on the opposite flank and has even occasionally deputised at centre-half when required. Summer arrival Diks could prove to be the perfect foil for the youngster, providing back-up as well an extra goal threat, an area where Scally could improve. Six years the 22-year-old's elder, Diks can help his soon-to-be teammate's development in the coming seasons.

Did you know?

Diks could make history in 2025/26 by becoming the first Indonesian to feature in the Bundesliga. His move to Gladbach should bring with it plenty of interest from the far east - even with just one cap for Indonesia - as Diks has 1.4 million Instagram followers, which is more than Gladbach's club page (one million)!

Diks is similarly versatile to Joe Scally. - IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

What they're saying

"Kevin is an experienced, versatile defensive player who can play in all positions in defence - central, left or right. He makes us more flexible in defence. In addition, he is a really good guy who knows exactly what he wants. He will fit in very well with us." - Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus

"I'm very happy that the move to Borussia worked out. Borussia is a big club in Germany, I'm excited about what's to come. But I still have big goals with my current club and am looking forward to the second half of the season with Copenhagen." - Diks upon his switch to Borussia

"The hope is of course that with the presence of Kevin Diks, Indonesia's defense line will become even stronger. With his experience playing in the Champions League, there is definitely no doubt." - Erick Thohir, chairman of the Indonesian Football Association

About the clubs

Borussia Mönchengladbach

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