Ex-Germany Captain Open to Indonesia National Team Role | Rp43B Offer

Laurin Ulrich, a 20-year-old German midfielder with Indonesian roots, has expressed openness to playing for the Indonesian national team, according to reports from tvOneNews on May 1, 2026. The player, currently on loan from VfB Stuttgart to FC Magdeburg, has been identified as a potential replacement for Thom Haye in the Indonesian squad.

Ulrich, who captained the German U-20 national team, has seen a significant increase in playing time this season while on loan at Magdeburg. He has made approximately 20-21 appearances, accumulating over 1,700 minutes played, a substantial improvement from his previous stint with SSV Ulm 1846 where he only managed five appearances and 70 minutes of play.

While he hasn’t yet scored a goal for Magdeburg, Ulrich has contributed with three assists and maintains an average rating of 7.05 according to FotMob. His versatility is also noted, as he can play as an attacking midfielder or a left winger, actively contributing to tempo setting and transitions.

The interest from the Indonesian national team is not new, with PSSI (the Football Association of Indonesia) reportedly having lobbied for Ulrich’s inclusion. This pursuit comes as Indonesia, coached by John Herdman, seeks to bolster its midfield options.

Ulrich’s Indonesian heritage stems from his mother being from Surabaya. He acknowledged receiving an invitation to join the Indonesian national team, stating, So, I’m not completely ruling out the possibility of playing for the Indonesian national team, as reported by Facebook groups discussing Indonesian football on March 14, 2026.

Potential Replacement for Thom Haye

The potential acquisition of Ulrich is being viewed as a possible solution to fill the void left by Thom Haye. While the specifics of Haye’s situation were not detailed in the provided source, Ulrich’s profile suggests he could be a valuable addition to the Indonesian midfield.

Ulrich’s current market value is estimated at Rp43 billion (approximately $2.7 million USD), highlighting his growing potential in German football. His performances for Magdeburg have attracted attention and a move to the Indonesian national team could further elevate his profile.

Indonesia’s National Team Context

The Indonesia national football team, nicknamed “Tim Garuda” (Garuda Team) and “Timnas” (The National Team), is currently ranked 122nd in the FIFA rankings as of April 1, 2026. Their highest ranking was 76th in September 1998, and their lowest was 191st in July 2016.

Indonesia has participated in one FIFA World Cup, in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies, reaching the round of 16. They have also appeared in six AFC Asian Cups, with a best result of reaching the round of 16 in 2023. The team has had considerable success in regional competitions, being runners-up in the ASEAN Championship six times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2020) and winning the Southeast Asian Games gold medal in 1987 and 1991.

Currently captained by Jay Idzes, the team is under the guidance of head coach John Herdman. The pursuit of players with Indonesian heritage playing in European leagues, such as Ulrich and Haye, reflects a strategy to strengthen the national team with experienced and talented individuals.

The Indonesian national team is also preparing for upcoming tournaments and fixtures, with the addition of a player like Ulrich potentially providing a significant boost to their squad. The team was recently selected as the host nation for a new FIFA tournament in ASEAN, a development that has garnered attention in neighboring Malaysia, according to reports.