Persib Bandung has officially introduced two new recruits for the 2025/2026 season: Indonesian national team midfielder Thom Haye and Italian central defender Federico Barba. Their arrival immediately sparked a major response from the supporters.
Supporters welcomed Thom Haye with high hopes. The player, who previously represented Almere City in the Dutch Eredivisie, is considered an ideal figure to strengthen Persib’s midfield. Many believe his presence can add creativity to the attack while also serving as a bridge between the midfield and the forward line.
Meanwhile, the name Federico Barba also captured significant attention. With extensive experience playing in Serie A for clubs like AS Roma, Empoli, and Benevento, Barba is expected to become a new wall in the defense of Maung Bandung.
Supporters hope the arrival of this 31-year-old defender can address the gaps in the back sector, which was often a focus of criticism last season.
In addition to the enthusiasm, there is also a reminder for both players to quickly adapt to the playing style of the Indonesian League, which is known for being physical and high-pressure.
There are also hopes that Thom Haye’s presence can help shape the Persib squad to be more competitive and able to compete in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2).
Persib Bandung
Persib Bandung is an Indonesian professional football club based in Bandung, West Java, and is one of the country’s most popular and successful teams. Founded in 1933 during the Dutch colonial era, the club has a storied history and a fierce rivalry with Persija Jakarta. It is renowned for its passionate fan base, known as “Bobotoh,” and has won multiple Indonesian league titles.
Almere City
Almere is one of the Netherlands’ newest cities, built entirely on land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer (a large freshwater lake) in the 1970s. It was established to relieve housing shortages in Amsterdam and has grown into a major modern urban center known for its innovative architecture and experimental urban planning.
Dutch Eredivisie
The Dutch Eredivisie is the premier professional football league in the Netherlands, officially founded in 1956. It has a rich history of developing world-class talent and is renowned for its attacking philosophy, with clubs like Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Feyenoord being its most successful and historic members.
AS Roma
AS Roma is a professional Italian football club based in Rome, founded in 1927 through the merger of three existing clubs. It is one of the most popular and successful teams in Serie A, having won multiple domestic league titles and cups. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with the identity of the city, and it plays its home matches at the Stadio Olimpico.
Empoli
Empoli is a historic town in Tuscany, Italy, known for its well-preserved medieval center and the Collegiata di Sant’Andrea, an 11th-century Romanesque church. Its strategic location on the Arno River made it an important trading and manufacturing hub, particularly for glass and ceramics, from the Renaissance period onward.
Benevento
Benevento is a historic city in southern Italy with ancient origins, most notably as a key Roman colony along the Via Appia. It is renowned for its well-preserved Roman monuments, including the iconic Trajan’s Arch and a Roman theatre, as well as the distinctive medieval Church of Santa Sofia. The city also has a rich history as the seat of the powerful Lombard Duchy of Benevento during the early Middle Ages.
Serie A
“Serie A” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather the name of Italy’s top professional football (soccer) league. Founded in 1929, it is one of the world’s most prestigious football leagues, historically renowned for its tactical and defensive style of play. The league’s history is deeply intertwined with Italy’s sporting culture and features famous clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.
AFC Champions League Two
The AFC Champions League Two is a professional football (soccer) tournament for clubs across Asia, introduced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2024. It serves as the new second tier of Asian club football, replacing the previous AFC Cup, and is designed to increase competitive opportunities for a wider range of member associations.
