Lucas Alves de Araujo, born in 1992, 1m93 tall, is expected to enhance the tackling and aerial ability of The Cong Viettel's defense. The Brazilian center-back grew up from his home country's football environment before having many years playing in Europe and the Middle East.
In his career, Lucas Alves played for FC Luzern and made nearly 100 appearances in the Swiss national championship. This player also played in Germany, Portugal, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Romania.
Lucas Alves once played football in Vietnam for Thep Xanh Nam Dinh. In the 2024-2025 season, the Brazilian center-back was one of the factors contributing to helping the Nam Dinh team win the V.League championship.
Experience playing in many different football backgrounds is a noteworthy point of Lucas Alves. Possessing a height of 1m93, this center-back has an advantage in aerial ball situations and one-on-one tackles, and can also take on the role of organizing the defense.
Sharing after joining The Cong Viettel, Lucas Alves said: "Coming to The Cong Viettel is a great step forward in my career. I always have great respect for the playing style as well as the unwavering spirit of the players here.
Besides Lucas Alves, The Cong Viettel also added goalkeeper Lawrence Caruso, a player born in 2004 in Melbourne (Australia), of Vietnamese - Australian descent.
Caruso was trained at several teams and academies in Australia, including Whittlesea Ranges, Melbourne City and Dandenong City. This goalkeeper once had the opportunity to debut in the A.League for the Central Coast Mariners when he was only 17 years old.
After that, Caruso continued to play and accumulate experience in the National Premier League (NPL) system. The overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper also used to be under contract with Western Sydney Wanderers and Green Gully SC.
1m84 tall, Caruso is assessed to be able to play with his feet and participate in the process of deploying the ball from the lower line. This is an increasingly popular trend in the goalkeeper position, when the goalkeeper not only undertakes the task of blocking but also has to support ball control and develop the ball from his own half.
Returning to Vietnam to play also opens up opportunities for Caruso to get acquainted with the V.League environment. The 22-year-old goalkeeper aims to show his ability at the tournament and aims for the possibility of being called up to the Vietnamese national team in the future.
Returning to Vietnam to compete is always a great dream for myself and my family. I hope to dedicate the best performances and hope that one day I will be called up to the Vietnamese national team," Lawrence Caruso shared.
