Professional soccer player Ryuji Utomo wasted little time in finding a new club following his departure from Arema FC. The former player of the Indonesia U-19 national team has accepted an offer to join Persija Jakarta.
Ryuji is among the 27 players selected for the Macan Kemayoran Team, who will be competing in the 2017 President’s Cup. Reports suggest that the 21-year-old player has sealed a one-year contract with the team under the management of Stefano Cugurra Teco.
The addition of Ryuji brings a more diverse composition to Persija’s central defense. The SAD Indonesia academy graduate will be vying for a spot in the starting lineup alongside Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, William Pacheco, Maman Abdurrahman, Dandi Maulana, and Muhammad Idham Jauhari.
In addition to Ryuji, Persija has also signed the nimble winger, Pandi Lestaluhu, who previously played for PS TNI in the Torabika Soccer Championship 2016 presented by IM3 Ooredoo. Pandi delivered standout performances for PS TNI, scoring two goals and providing three assists in 20 matches.
Pandi’s arrival provides coach Teco with additional options for the wing forward position, joining the likes of Ambrizal Umanailo, Ramdani Lestaluhu, and new recruit, Jefri Kurniawan.
Persija is placed in Group 2 of the 2017 President’s Cup alongside hometown team Arema FC, Bhayangkara FC, and PS TNI. The capital city team will open their campaign against PS TNI at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang on February 5, 2017.
Here are the members of Persija Jakarta squad for the 2017 President’s Cup:
Goalkeepers: Andritany Ardhiyasa, Daryono, M. Alfarisi, Rizky Darmawan
Defenders: Rezaldi Hehanusa, Vava Mario Yagalo, William Pacheco, Muhammad Idham Jauhari, Ryuji Utomo, Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, Maman Abdurrahman, Dandi Maulana, Ismed Sofyan, Novri Setiawan
Midfielders: Amarzukih, Sandi Darman Sute, Hong Soon-hak, Sutanto Tan, Muslim Habibi
Forwards: M. Rasul Habibi, Jefri Kurniawan, Bambang Pamungkas, Ambrizal Umanailo, Ramdani Lestaluhu, Pandi Lestaluhu, Ichsan Hari, Rudi Widodo
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