Marselino Ferdinan admitted that he wanted to prove his abilities after officially joining the Championship Division club, Oxford United.
Marselino carried this determination after making history by becoming the first Indonesian born player to appear in England’s second caste competition.
“I’m very happy, I can’t explain the happiness I feel. I’m happy, I feel excited, and I want to prove myself at Oxford,” he said.
Now Marselino hopes to have a good season with Oxford. Although the challenge will not be easy because Marselino will feel the rigors of competition to even be able to win a place in the first team of the club nicknamed The U’s.
“I’m hoping for a good season, a good start,” he said.
Based on the agent’s confession, Dusan Bogdanovic, Marselino signed a two year contract with the team whose majority shares are owned by two Indonesians, Erick Thohir and Anindya Bakrie. This means that Marselino will play there until June 30 2026.
After deciding to join Oxford, Marselino’s immediate homework is to catch up with his new colleagues. This is because Marselino joined when Oxford was already playing a match on the Championship stage.
Apart from that, he also has to be able to adapt to English football culture, which is certainly different from Belgium. The 19 year old player must go through this process with patience while looking at the opportunity to be played by the coach in his first season.
Oxford United’s majority shareholders, Erick Thohir and Anindya Bakrie, gave a message to new player Marselino.
Erick and Anindya hope that Marselino can gain experience by playing at Oxford, which appears on the Championship stage or England’s second caste competition.
“Welcome and have a good fight at Oxford United, Marselino! Make this an opportunity to learn and develop,” wrote Erick, who also serves as General Chair of the Indonesian Football Association.
