Gabriel Mutombo: PERSIB Bandung sign French-DR Congo defender on free transfer from Ratchaburi FC

PERSIB Bandung have signed centre-back Gabriel Mutombo from Thai League side Ratchaburi FC on a free transfer on 7 July 2026.

The 30-year-old defender, who stands at 1.91m and is right-footed, joins the Indonesian Super League club after a one-and-a-half-year spell in Thailand, where his market value most recently rose to 400,000. He moves to PERSIB with experience across several European leagues as well as recent stints in Greece, Romania and Thailand.

Born in Villeurbanne, France, and holding both French and DR Congo nationality, Mutombo arrives in Bandung as a specialist central defender. His move from Ratchaburi follows a period of steady rebuilding of his value, which had climbed from 200,000 after his initial switch to Thailand in August 2024 to 400,000 by May 2026.

Before heading to Asia, Mutombo played for Chania City FC in Greece, joining them from FC Botosani in Romania in February 2024. His time in Eastern and Southern Europe came after several seasons in France and Portugal, including spells with ESTAC Troyes and US Orleans following his development at Angers, where he progressed from the youth and reserve teams into the senior set-up.

Loan moves earlier in his career, including a spell at CA Bastia and a temporary switch to Portuguese side UD Vilafranquense, contributed to a profile built on regular competitive football in different environments. His market value peaked at 600,000 during his period with Orleans and Troyes, underlining his established status in European second-tier competitions.

Mutombos free transfer from Ratchaburi FC makes him one of the more experienced defensive additions to PERSIB Bandungs squad in the 2026 Super League season.