Persija Jakarta Continues Squad Overhaul by Releasing Three More Players

Persija Jakarta has officially parted ways with three players — Riko Simanjuntak, Hansamu Yama, and Alfriyanto Nico — as the club reshapes its squad ahead of the 2026/27 Super League season. All three players had recently returned from loan spells at other Indonesian clubs: Riko at PSS Sleman, Hansamu at Arema FC, and Nico at Persis Solo. The departures are part of a broader squad overhaul under new head coach Shin Tae-yong, following the earlier release of seven foreign players.

Riko Simanjuntak, a 34-year-old winger, has been a key figure for Persija since joining in 2018 and played an instrumental role in the club's 2018 Liga 1 title win. His exit has drawn particular attention from fans, as he had become closely identified with the Jakarta-based side. Hansamu Yama, a centre-back who joined in the 2022/23 season, made 63 appearances for Persija, scoring three goals and providing two assists. Alfriyanto Nico, a product of Persija’s youth system, debuted for the senior team in the 2021/22 season and recorded 55 appearances, with four goals and two assists.

Club president Mohamad Prapanca expressed gratitude for the contributions of all three players. "We appreciate and thank Riko, Nico, and Hansamu for the effort they have shown while wearing the Persija jersey," Prapanca said in an official club statement. "They are part of this club's important journey and their contributions will always be part of the Macan Kemayoran story." He added that the farewells are a normal part of professional football, saying, "Although this partnership must end, we all still respect each other. This decision is part of the dynamics of professional football. We wish them the best for their future careers."

Earlier this month, Persija had already released seven foreign players: Carlos Eduardo, Bruno Tubarao, Jean Mota, Emaxwell Souza, Allano Lima, Thales Lira, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie. The squad restructuring comes as Persija prepares for a new era under Shin Tae-yong, with further transfer activity expected as the club builds a competitive team for the 2026/27 season.