New breezes
The V.League 2026-2027 transfer market witnessed two extremes in foreign player recruitment strategy. Some teams strengthened their forces by bringing in foreign players who have experience playing in Vietnam, including The Cong Viettel or Ninh Binh.
Coach Velizar Popov decided to reunite the two students who worked side by side with him in Thanh Hoa in the past, Ribamar and Gordon Rimario.
With Ninh Binh FC, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem recruited Lucao. It should be added that this is the face that Mr. Nghiem elevated when both were working in Hai Phong.
Newcomer Bac Ninh FC is also "hunting" foreign players with experience playing football in the V.League. Contracts like Vitao, Brenner are considered safe and suitable choices for coach Paulo Foiani towards the task of relegation.
Unlike the above clubs, Hanoi FC is still boldly recruiting new foreign players. Accordingly, 4 "Western" players of the Capital team all play football for the first time in Vietnam and 2 of them have impressive CVs, including defender Cyrus Christie (Bolton) and center forward Adam Taggart (Perth Glory).
Another brand new foreign player who is also of interest is Brayan Perea. This player soon developed his value when he came to Hanoi Police, scoring in 2 victories of the team in the AFC Champions Elite play-offs and the National Super Cup.
Notable overseas Vietnamese and domestic players
The transfer market also witnessed notable domestic player contracts. Although there were no "blockbusters" like last season, these were all considered suitable for the context and goals of the clubs.
Pham Tuan Hai left Hanoi when he was not given a chance. He moved to Nam Dinh and promised to have more room to perform when coach Vu Hong Viet reduced foreign players in the attack to create conditions for domestic players.
Another Vietnamese player, Trieu Viet Hung, has joined The Cong Viettel. Not a big star like many teammates, but this versatile player is a strategic card highly appreciated by many teams. With Viet Hung, coach Popov will have new playing options from the left wing to the center of midfield.
In the context of The Cong Viettel participating in 4 arenas including V.League, National Cup, C1 Southeast Asian Cup and AFC Champions League, a diligent face like Trieu Viet Hung promises to bring many values.
Ho Chi Minh City Police also brought back three Vietnamese U23 players: Dinh Quang Kiet, Nguyen Nhat Minh and Nguyen Phi Hoang. All three played quite well in the V.League last season and made certain contributions to U23 Vietnam.
In parallel with that, the 2026-2027 season attracts many overseas Vietnamese players at the age of career development. Two of them are highly expected, striker Aymeric Faunard Tournaire (Hanoi) and defender Lenn Minh Tran (Ho Chi Minh City Police).
Aymeric has left Ligue 2 (France) to try his hand at V.League. In terms of skills, the new player of Hanoi FC finishes well with both feet, accelerates quickly in short distances, has good clearance and is quite fit.
Meanwhile, defender Lenn Minh Tran is at the age where he can play for U23 Vietnam. The player born in 2007 was systematically developed in Belgium, having spent a memorable season in the Dutch 2nd division in Maastricht colors.
