Diks raring to go at Gladbach

The 28-year-old arrives from Copenhagen and made sure his chapter in the Danish capital was bookmarked in style by winning a domestic double last term. For Diks, such success marked the perfect time to embrace a “new challenge".

Despite his achievements in Denmark, joining Gladbach and playing in the Bundesliga feels like stepping up to the “next level” for the Netherlands-born Indonesian.

In an interview with kicker, Diks detailed why he chose to move to Germany: “It’s a more competitive league, a bigger stage. Here I can play at the highest level.”

Having plied his trade in the Netherlands, Italy and Denmark so far, he has had a meandering career that hasn’t always followed a straightforward trajectory.

At 19, the defender from Apeldoorn departed his boyhood club Vitesse for Fiorentina in Italy. In hindsight, as Diks admitted, it may have been a move made too soon.

“Going to Italy at that point was a big step, maybe too big," he said. "I was still very young. After that, I had a string of loan spells and no real continuity. That’s tough for a young player."

A serious injury during his time in Florence also set him back significantly. To help get his mojo back, he later enjoyed a reasonably successful loan spell at Aarhus in the Danish Superliga. But it was the permanent switch to Copenhagen in 2021 which proved transformational.

“Going to Copenhagen was probably the best decision of my life,” the five-time Indonesia international said.

Watch: Behind the scenes from Diks' signing day back in January

Leaving Copenhagen behind was alwasy going to be difficult but Diks said he immediately “felt the trust from day one” at Gladbach. After just a few days, the club already “felt like family".

“Everyone at the club - the coaches, the staff, my teammates - welcomed me so warmly. I’m really happy to be here,” he said. 

Diks' ambitions on the field will have to wait just a bit longer, however, as due to a lingering muscle injury sustained last season, he will have to err on the side of caution during the early stages of the Foals' pre-season training regiment.

The question of where Diks will fit into Gladbach's tactical plans for the 2025/26 campaign may depend on how the rest of the club’s summer transfer window unfolds.

However, one thing’s for sure: Diks is a true defensive all-rounder. He can play as a centre-back, on either side of the back-line, or even as a holding midfielder.

His preferred position? Despite his famed defensive versatility, Diks did indicate a preference, saying: “Most naturally, I see myself as a central defender. But really, I can play anywhere across the back.”

At any rate, coach Gerardo Seoane and Gladbach fans alike will be delighted to have such an adaptable and experienced player at their disposal for the upcoming season.