RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Football club PSIM Yogyakarta moved to address defensive depth issues by signing Dutch defender Jop van der Avert during the mid-season transfer window of the 2025/2026 BRI Super League, following a technical evaluation of recent league performances.

Quoting PSIM Yogyakarta Manager Razzi Taruna on the club’s official website on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the recruitment was a strategic decision made jointly by the management and head coach Jean-Paul van Gastel following a technical evaluation of the squad.

Razzi explained that the coaching staff identified an urgent need to add defensive options based on recent matches. “The head coach highlighted the importance of squad depth, especially in the back line. In several recent games, for example against Persebaya, we were very short of options in defense,” Razzi said, as quoted by Antara.

He added that Van der Avert provides flexibility as he can operate both as a center back and a left-sided defender. “We consider Jop to have good quality because he has experience playing in the Netherlands and most recently in Korea’s second division,” Razzi said.

Razzi also noted that Van Gastel is already familiar with the player’s profile. “Interestingly, when Coach Van Gastel was coaching in the Dutch second division, Jop had played against his team. So indirectly, the coach already knows his playing characteristics, even if not in great detail,” he said.

Van der Avert could make his debut in PSIM Yogyakarta’s Week 20 Super League match against Persis Solo scheduled for Friday, February 6. “The hope is that Jop can adapt quickly and contribute to PSIM. For the upcoming match against Persis, he may already be involved,” Razzi hoped. ***