Borneo FC has officially announced the signing of former PSM Makassar player Erwin Gutawa to bolster their defense. Erwin, known for his tough character and international experience, is highly anticipated to join the team based in Samarinda.
This season, Borneo FC faces a significant challenge in their defense after losing three key players: Silverio, Leo Lelis, and Agung Pras. The only remaining central defenders are Diego Michiels and Ezzi Buffon, who is originally a right fullback, along with Komang Teguh, a young player who still needs time to become a mainstay in the heart of the defense.
Given this situation, the management of Pesut Etam had to move quickly to bring in experienced defenders to fill the void left by Silverio and Lelis. The addition of a senior defender as a backup also became a priority, and in this regard, their latest recruit, Erwin Gutawa, meets this need.

“Erwin Gutawa is a potential name in the project to rebuild the defense sector,” said the club’s official statement on their website on Thursday evening, June 20, 2024. The negotiations went smoothly and quickly because both Borneo FC and Erwin Gutawa share the same ambitions for the upcoming season: winning Liga 1, excelling in the ASEAN Club Championship, and developing young talents like Ezzi Buffon and Komang Teguh.
The team with the ‘Angry Dolphin’ logo has a philosophy of ferocious play, or ‘manyala’. This character is undoubtedly present in Erwin Gutawa. Additionally, his flexibility to play in various positions such as right center-back (Silverio’s position), left center-back (Lelis’ position), as well as right and left fullback, will greatly assist Coach Pieter Huistra in strategizing and rotating players.
Erwin Gutawa also brings the experience of 9 caps in Asian tournaments over the past 3 seasons, which is expected to add a champion mentality to the Pesut Etam team as they face the ACC 2024 and other international tournaments in the future. Erwin’s experience and seniority are also expected to help young players like Ezzi Buffon and Komang Teguh develop more quickly.
Erwin Gutawa joined Borneo FC on a free transfer and was signed with a one-season contract without an extension option. The club hopes Erwin can quickly adapt and contribute positively both on and off the field. “And together achieve greatness in the upcoming season,” the club’s statement concluded.
With the arrival of Erwin Gutawa, Borneo FC hopes to strengthen their defense and achieve high performance in various competitions ahead.