The championship aspect of English soccer, Oxford United Soccer Membership, has skilled a surge in social media engagement, gaining over 100,000 pristine fans on Instagram inside of 24 hours.
The rise adopted the announcement of Indonesian younger superstar Marselino Ferdinan, becoming a member of the group on Monday, pushing the followership to over 178,000 on Tuesday.
PUNCH On-line experiences that Ferdinan’s immense following of 4 million on Instagram, blended along with his reputation in Asia and Belgium, considerably boosted the membership’s on-line presence.
Ferdinan used to be a key participant for the Indonesian U-23 group, who reached the semifinals of the 2024 AFC U-23 Championship and led Indonesia to the Olympic playoffs in opposition to Guinea in Paris endmost Would possibly.
Consistent with a observation, Ferdinan promised to present his all and manufacture probably the most of this chance.
The observation learn, “I’m delighted and nonetheless can’t consider I’m right here. Being the primary Indonesian-born participant to play games within the Championship if decided on fills me with massive satisfaction. I received’t hurry this chance as a right, and I’ll give 100% to manufacture probably the most of it.
“My message to everyone is to keep supporting the team and know I’ll do my best to compete and represent this club.”
The nineteen-year-old ahead arrived in Oxford with 26 caps for his nation and 3 objectives, and endmost 12 months helped Indonesia Underneath-22s win the Southeast Asian Video games for the primary age in 32 years.
Ferdinan additionally holds the report because the youngest global goalscorer in Indonesia, and this 12 months turned into the youngest goalscorer within the Asian Cup finals spherical historical past.
Ferdinand used to be signed along right-back, Hidde ter Avest, on independent transfers.
Ter Avest, 27, has joined on a “long-term contract” having no longer been introduced a pristine offer through Eredivisie membership FC Utrecht.
Indonesia World Marselino, 19, spent endmost season with KMSK Deinze in Belgium. He has 3 objectives in 26 appearances for his nation.
The pair have been the membership’s thirteenth and 14th signings of the summer season switch window.
Consistent with the observation, Head Educator, Des Buckingham, mentioned, “Marselino is a tender thrilling participant. The video games we have now watched and experiences of him from Asia are that he is among the very best younger avid gamers coming via, so it’s a possibility to have him in right here and be part of what we do.
“Having labored in Asia already, I do know the intensity of possible skill that may be unearthed there, and I’m taking a look ahead to having him within the construction to look how he progresses.
“Marselino has lots of attributes that we look for in a player and a person, and we can see he has a real desire to want to improve and take this opportunity.”
At the alternative hand, Head of Soccer Operations, Ed Waldron, mentioned, “Marselino is an excessively thrilling and promising younger participant, and we’re excited to look how he develops in our workforce.
“The Membership has robust ties with Indonesia, and thru our steady conversations, we have been made conscious about Marselino’s skill.
“Hour unproven at this stage, it’s sunlit that Marselino is terribly gifted with excellent global revel in, and it’ll be thrilling to look how he adapts to date at Oxford United.
“We have a fantastic environment at the Training Ground, and we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for Marselino to test his abilities and develop alongside the experience we have in his position.”