The Maarten Paes era at FC Dallas has officially come to a close.
The Dutch goalkeeper, who joined the North Texas club four years ago, is returning to his home country after being transferred Monday to AFC Ajax of the Eredivisie.
“I came to Dallas in 2022, and these past four years have changed me so much as a person in the right way,” Paes said in a statement.
Paes quickly established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in MLS. He made 114 appearances for FC Dallas, totaling 10,182 minutes with 379 saves and a 70.38 save percentage. His strong play earned him a spot in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game and the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.
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Last season, Paes suffered a significant upper‑leg and hamstring injury that sidelined him for roughly nine weeks. The setback opened the door for Michael Collodi, who ultimately secured the starting role.
In 2024, Paes became an Indonesian citizen through his late grandmother, Nel Appels‑van Heyst, who was born in Indonesia. He has since served as the starting goalkeeper for the Indonesian national team, which fell short in its bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“I want to thank the entire city of Dallas, FC Dallas and everyone I have worked with. These have been the most beautiful years of my life, and I enjoyed every single minute,” said the 27‑year‑old goalkeeper.
“Dallas till I die.”
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