Hoang Duc is the latest name that Thai League clubs have noticed. Pathum United - the reigning Thai League champions are said to be looking to recruit the midfielder currently playing for Viettel. The Thai team can pay Hoang Duc a salary of 8,000 to 10,000 USD/month (about 230 million VND), along with incentives for vehicles and houses so that this midfielder can compete. Before Hoang Duc, Xuan Truong and Dang Van Lam also went to the Thai League and left many impressions.
"The Thai players will not come to Vietnam. I think if they choose to go abroad to develop, they will choose to go to Japan or Korea. I do not disregard it, but the Thai League is at a higher level than the V.League", former Pathum United Dusit Chalermsan once shared.
Mr. Duisit once played for Hoang Anh Gia Lai during the period when Thai players flocked to V.League to compete in the early 2000s. At that time, the Vietnam National Championship was a promised land for Thai players when they received high benefits, many teams competed for the championship. However, the situation has changed over the past 10 years, when the Thai League has changed fundamentally.
Clubs invested systematically in facilities (fields, training systems), complied with AFC criteria, invested in forces... Organizers learned to filter foreign models, turning tournaments into attractive events for fans, earning a lot of sponsorship money, and television rights. After the 2020 Thai League was suspended for 6 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand decided to organize the tournament like European tournaments - that is, taking 2 calendar years. This helps them truly integrate into international tournaments. In Asia, the Thai League is one of the top 10 tournaments in terms of competitiveness, stature... In the Eastern region, the Thai tournament is only behind Japan, Korea, China.
In recent years, Thailand has continued to perfect its No. 1 tournament, opening up a mechanism to attract ASEAN players to compete, to increase the level of influence in the region. Many players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam have come here to play... Therefore, it is understandable that Pathum United wants to have the service of Hoang Duc.
If he goes to Thailand to compete, Hoang Duc will have the opportunity to improve his qualifications and competitive spirit while creating a stepping stone to move into better quality tournaments. Dang Van Lam went to Cerezo Osaka (Japan) after having impressive performances at Muangthong United. Chanathip and Theerathon also went to Japan after becoming famous in the Thai League. Or recently, Sasalak - the left-back of the Thai team has moved to Jeonbuk Hyundai after playing impressively with Buriram United.
