Dean James (footballer)

Dean James

James with Go Ahead Eagles in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Dean Ruben James [1]
Date of birth	(2000-04-30) 30 April 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Leiden, Netherlands
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) [2]
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Go Ahead Eagles
Number	5
Youth career
	Volendam
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2023	Jong Volendam	39	(0)
2020–2023	Volendam	52	(2)
2023–	Go Ahead Eagles	36	(2)
International career‡
2025–	Indonesia	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21 September 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 8 September 2025

Dean Ruben James (born 30 April 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles. Born in the Netherlands, he represents the Indonesia national team. ^[1]

Club career

James was released from his contract by Volendam at the conclusion of the 2022–23 season. ^[3]

On 18 July 2023, James signed a three-year contract with Go Ahead Eagles. ^[4]

International career

In February 2025, it was announced that James had decided to represent Indonesia at international level. ^[5] On 9 March, James was called up to the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers matches against Australia and Bahrain. ^[6] On 20 March, he made his debut with Indonesia in a 5–1 loss to Australia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match. ^[7]

Personal life

Born in the Netherlands, James is of Indonesian descent. ^{[8] [9]}

On 10 March 2025, James officially obtained Indonesian citizenship. ^{[10] [11]}

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 25 September 2025 ^[12]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			KNVB Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Jong Volendam	2017–18	Derde Divisie	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2018–19		14	0	—		—		—		14	0
	2019–20	Tweede Divisie	20	0	—		—		—		20	0
	2020–21		1	0	—		—		—		1	0
	2022–23		3	0	—		—		—		3	0
	Total		39	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	39	0
Volendam	2020–21	Eerste Divisie	19	2	0	0	—		—		19	2
	2021–22		26	0	1	0	—		—		27	0
	2022–23	Eredivisie	7	0	2	0	—		—		9	0
	Total		52	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	55	2
Go Ahead Eagles	2023–24	Eredivisie	5	0	0	0	—		2 [a]	0	7	0
	2024–25		25	2	4	0	2 [b]	0	0	0	31	2
	2025–26		6	0	0	0	1	0	1 [c]	0	8	0
	Total		36	2	4	0	3	0	3	0	46	2
Career total			127	4	7	0	3	0	3	0	140	4

1. Appearances in Conference League play-offs
2. Appearances in UEFA Conference League
3. Appearances in Johan Cruyff Shield

International

As of match played 8 September 2025 ^[13]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Indonesia	2025	3	0
Total		3	0

Honours

Go Ahead Eagles

• KNVB Cup: 2024–25 ^[14]

See also

• List of Indonesia international footballers born outside Indonesia

References

1. Dean James at Soccerway . Retrieved 25 January 2022.
2. "Dean James". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
3. "FC Volendam licht opties van Murkin en Flint" (in Dutch). FC Volendam. 31 March 2023.
4. "DEAN JAMES: 'GRETIG OM MEZELF TE BEWIJZEN'" [DEAN JAMES: 'EAGER TO PROVE MYSELF'] (in Dutch). Go Ahead Eagles. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
5. "Erick Thohir Umumkan 3 Calon Naturalisasi Baru Timnas Indonesia Jelang Lawan Australia". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 22 February 2025.
6. "Patrick Kluivert Panggil 2 Pemain Debutan untuk Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026". jpnn.com (in Indonesian). 9 March 2025.
7. "Susunan pemain Indonesia vs Australia, Ole dan Dean James debut". antaranews.com (in Indonesian). 20 March 2025.
8. "Profil Dean James, Bek Kiri Keturunan Semarang-Surabaya". idntimes.com (in Indonesian). 21 March 2025.
9. Ilham, Muhammad Luthfi. "Dutch Defender Dean James Set for Naturalization to Strengthen Indonesia National Team - Jakarta Daily". Dutch Defender Dean James Set for Naturalization to Strengthen Indonesia National Team - Jakarta Daily.
10. "Emil Audero, Joey Pelupessy, dan Dean James Resmi Jadi WNI". cnnindonesia.com (in Indonesian). 10 March 2025.
11. "Resmi! Emil Audero, Dean James, dan Joey Pelupessy Jadi WNI, Tinggal Perpindahan Federasi untuk Bela Timnas Indonesia" [Official! Emil Audero, Dean James, and Joey Pelupessy become Indonesian citizens, all that's left is for them to switch federations to defend the Indonesian national team]. bola.com (in Indonesian). 10 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
12. Dean James at Soccerway . Retrieved 28 March 2025.
13. "Dean James". National Football Teams. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
14. Dean James at Soccerway . Retrieved 28 March 2025.

External links

• Dean James at Soccerway