Former Netherlands U-20 international Rick Ketting and Romanian defender Raul Feher have expressed their commitment to helping Phnom Penh Crown create a memorable season in the upcoming 2025–2026 campaign, as the team sets its sights on securing silverware.
Standing at 1.88 metres, 29-year-old defender Ketting has joined Phnom Penh Crown from Dutch second-tier club VVV-Venlo. The Red Lions officially announced his arrival on Monday, alongside Ukrainian striker Maksym Pryadun. Prior to joining VVV-Venlo in 2022, Ketting has played for five clubs in various countries since 2014. With over a decade of professional experience, he is expected to become a solid pillar of Crown’s backline.
In an interview with the club’s media team on Tuesday, Ketting admitted he was a bit tired after the long journey to Cambodia — a new destination in his football career and his first stint in Asia.
“I don’t know much about the Cambodian league, but my agent has been in contact with the club. I saw great things about Phnom Penh Crown, and this is the next step in my career — to join a league in Asia. It’s a great move for my professional development,” he said.
Ketting made it clear he is extremely motivated to contribute to Crown’s title chase, particularly in the AFC Challenge League 2025/2026. He hopes to see the club’s loyal fan base turn out in force to support the team and help create a memorable season together.
“It’s important for me to work closely with my teammates and the coaches,” Ketting added.
“I’m happy to be here, ready to fight for trophies for the club and in the AFC Challenge League. I’ll give everything I have — for the team, for my teammates and for myself — to make this a great season. I really hope to see the fans at the stadium, watching and cheering us on so we can create something special together,” he continued.
Romanian central defender Feher, who signed with the club on June 27, also expressed his enthusiasm for chasing titles with the Red Lions. The 28-year-old, standing at 1.90 metres, brings not just physicality, but a wealth of experience from several mid-tier professional clubs in Spain, and most recently played for Inter Club d’Escaldes in Andorra.
“I’m truly excited to be here — this is a great opportunity for me. I feel very positive and happy to become part of the Phnom Penh Crown family, and I really want to win many titles with this team. I hope the fans come to support us at the stadium to help us grow stronger as a team,” he told the club’s media team.
Ukrainian striker Maksym Pryadun is also preparing himself to make an impact at Crown. The 28-year-old forward, who stands at 1.76 metres, brings extensive experience, having played for 11 different clubs — most of them in the Ukrainian league — before his recent stint with Malta’s top-tier club Sliema Wanderers FC.
His presence is expected to add more firepower to Crown’s central attacking force.
So far, Crown has secured four foreign signings for the new season: newcomers Ketting, Feher and Pryadun, as well as South Korean defender Yi Young Park, who recently renewed his contract with the club. Under current Cambodian league rules, each team is allowed to register up to six foreign players and one naturalised foreign player.
Unfortunately, Crown suffered what some commentors are calling a pre-season setback, with all three of its previous naturalised foreign players — Japanese defenders Takaki Ose and Yudai Ogawa, and Colombian attacking midfielder Nieto Rondon — leaving to join other clubs. Crown can only sign two more foreign players for the upcoming season.
