Star midfielder says no to Hanoi FC contract renewal

Hanoi FC had stepped up contract negotiations with Hai after Vietnam defeated China 3-1 in the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Feb. 1.

However, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, and Quang Hai will become a free agent, meaning he can sign up with any other club on mutually agreed terms when his contract expires on Apr. 12.

VnExpress has learned that Hai has turned down the contract extension offer because he wants to pursue opportunities to play abroad, and is hoping to join a football club in Europe.

Several South Korean, Japanese and Latvian teams have previously expressed interest in signing Hai.

The Hanoi midfielder’s ambition is to play a higher level of football.

Hai is the most successful player in Vietnamese football history. At 24, he has won just about every national and regional title including the V-League, National Cup, Vietnam Super Cup, Vietnam Golden Ball, AFF Cup, SEA Games gold medal, and the Asian U23 silver medal.

Hai has just returned to practice with Hanoi FC following his recovery from Covid-19.

Before Hai, another Hanoi FC player, Doan Van Hau, has played abroad. But the defender didn’t achieve much success, appearing only a few games in a year on loan to Dutch club SC Heerenveen.

At present, goalie Dang Van Lam is the only Vietnamese footballer who is playing abroad. However, he is rarely used by Japanese club Cerezo Osaka.