Kevin Diks: 'Borussia Mönchengladbach is an amazing club with amazing fans'

The first Indonesian to play in the Bundesliga, Kevin Diks says he's slotted in seamlessly since moving to Borussia Mönchengladbach after spells in Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Bundesliga caught up with the former Vitesse, Fiorentina, Feyenoord, Empoli, Aarhus and Copenhagen defender - who's been a virtual ever-present at Gladbach so far in 2025/26 - to discuss his reasons for moving to Borussia-Park and his first impressions of the club...

How has it been for you since you moved to Mönchengladbach in the summer?

Kevin Diks: "I think it has been really good so far. I was integrated into the team quite well. I think, of course, the results were tough in the beginning, but after that I think we regrouped. We have done really well so far, and I think so far it has been good."

What made you join Mönchengladbach in the first place?

Diks: "Many factors. There was not one thing, there were many things which, for me, were vital. They showed interest from, let’s say, a year ago, and how much they wanted me. I think the feeling they gave me as a player was very important. As a player you want to have the feeling that a club wants you.

Watch: Get to know Gladbach's Diks

"There were many, many, many factors that made me join. The club is historical; it’s an amazing club with amazing fans. Even this season, you saw that in the beginning it was a bit tough, but afterwards they were still supporting us and getting us through the mud. That was also very important.

"A big factor was also that I don’t live far from Holland, from my family and in a nice city. You live in a nice city, and you can go to family fairly quickly, so I think that was also a factor. Altogether it was just the right decision for me."

That actually would have been our next question: the proximity to the Netherlands. Is it easier for you now to see your family? Are they joining you when you have home games?

Diks: "Every match I have some people coming, my wife’s family mostly. They are living a little closer. For my daughter, it is amazing that she can see so much family at the moment. I think she sees family every week and that is good for my daughter and for my wife, too. But of course, football is number one and I think this club says enough through how historical it is.

Nertherlands-born Diks plays senior international football for Indonesia. - IMAGO/ATSUSHI TOKUMARU

About the players

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Kevin

Diks

Borussia Mönchengladbach

"I had an interview this morning where I said that when I joined Fiorentina, 10 years ago, I think, and I was on loan to Vitesse after, I watched a [UEFA] Europa League match here in the stadium, so it’s quite funny that I now end up in Borussia Mönchengladbach. I think that if I look back it is funny to see that I was in the stadium to watch a match and now I am playing here. That’s also a big part, of course."

And you said you've adjusted well and quickly. Who are your go-to guys in the dressing room and also off the pitch?

Diks: "I am mostly a guy who can get along with a lot of people in the team, because I like to be good with everybody, but of course I sit next to Rocco [Reitz] and Luca [Netz], so we speak a lot. Also, Oscar Fraulo, he’s Danish and I have been to Denmark before, so we have some funny jokes always about Midtjylland and Copenhagen. But I am good with everybody. It is fine with everybody. I think that is also what helped in the beginning, that I was good with everybody.

A defender by trade, Diks has scored two goals in his first 13 Bundesliga appearances. - IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Herbert Rudel

"Also, Julian Weigl, he helped me. Before I even came here, I was texting with him about the club and how to do everything and he could help me a bit. He was also a big part of me integrating into the team in the beginning. I think that’s important for a player. Normally it doesn’t happen that you have a transfer fee and come to a club and you can already adjust everything before you come. Of course, I still had a season to end with Copenhagen, but I had some time to know about results, to watch some matches and I could know the team a little bit already. That’s nice, to not get it changed all of a sudden. I think that’s good for a player."

So, next up is Wolfsburg at home and then Borussia Dortmund just before the winter break. How much do you look forward to these matches, especially the match against Dortmund? On a Friday night under the lights and then the winter break starts.

Diks: "First, we have a big match on Saturday, first I will look into that. There are a lot of familiar faces that I will know: Kamil [Grabara], Denis [Vavro], PC – [managing director] Peter Christiansen – who I know really well from Copenhagen. And Jonas is unfortunately injured, Jonas Wind. I will see a lot of familiar faces, so I am looking forward to them, but we play at home another big match, so hopefully another good Saturday evening, with points.

"Then, of course, Friday evenings are special actually. I have not played a lot of Friday night matches, but in the last three or four months I have played four or five. I like them, they are really special. A really nice away match against Dortmund, so let’s see, but first Saturday."

How much are you looking forward to Christmas time? Is that something that you celebrate at home?

Diks: "Not really. I actually go on vacation, so I don’t spend it at home. I go to the sun. But when I am with my family, that is the most important thing."

Do you have any new years wishes for your supporters around the world?

Diks: "I wish everybody a happy new year. Stay safe, don’t do stupid things and stay healthy and all the best for 2026."

About the clubs

Borussia Mönchengladbach

BORUSSIA-PARK