Calvin Verdonk is set to make history as the first Indonesian citizen footballer to appear in the Champions League.

Calvin Verdonk is poised to write new history for Indonesian football. LOSC Lille has stated that the 29-year-old defender is set to become the first Indonesian player to feature in the Champions League league phase for the 2026/27 season.

The French club published this claim on their social media channels after securing direct qualification to the league stage of Europe's elite club competition.

"The first Indonesian footballer that will play in the UCL group stage. History," Lille wrote in their official social media post on Monday, 17 August.

Verdonk joined Lille in September 2025 after building his professional career across Europe. In his debut season with the club, he was part of the squad that finished 3rd in the 2025/26 Ligue 1 standings.

This league position granted Lille automatic entry to the Champions League league phase for 2026/27. If selected for match action, Verdonk will earn the chance to compete on the highest stage of European club football.

Helped Lille Secure Champions League Spot

Across the 2025/26 campaign, Verdonk made 18 Ligue 1 appearances, recording a total of 786 minutes on the pitch. 

A whole new level of challenge now lies ahead. Having proven himself in French top-flight competition, Verdonk now has the opportunity to face off against Europe's biggest clubs representing Lille.

Verdonk is in line to become the first player holding active Indonesian citizenship to play in the Champions League group stage.

Before this, two players with Indonesian family ties have previously appeared in the Champions League.

Kevin Diks and Emil Audero Previously Competed

Kevin Diks previously featured in the Champions League group stage with FC Copenhagen across both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

Copenhagen did not advance past the group stage in 2022/23. One year later, Diks helped the Danish side reach the Round of 16, before they were eliminated by Manchester City on an aggregate 2-6 scoreline.

Meanwhile, Emil Audero appeared in the Champions League group stage for Inter Milan during the 2023/24 season.

He played the full 90 minutes in Inter's 3-3 draw against Benfica in Group D. Inter would go on to progress to the Round of 16, though Audero remained on the substitutes bench for the majority of that knockout run.

The critical difference between these players and Verdonk is legal citizenship status. Neither Diks nor Audero held official Indonesian citizenship at the time they played their Champions League matches.

As such, if Verdonk receives official match minutes for Lille during the 2026/27 league phase, he will set the official record as the first registered Indonesian citizen to compete in the Champions League.

Emil Audero Still Holds Potential Path

Audero retains a chance to return to Champions League football for the 2026/27 season with Como.

However this possibility remains unconfirmed, and will depend on how his contract situation resolves before the summer transfer window closes.

This includes all transfer scenarios, such as Audero being loaned out or permanently transferred to another club.

Verdonk's position is far more settled by comparison. Lille have locked in their direct Champions League qualification, and the defender is confirmed as part of the club's squad for the upcoming season.

Only the head coach's decision regarding match opportunities remains pending.