Superstar midfielder officially leaves Hanoi FC

“Throughout the negotiation process, the capital club always wanted to extend its contract with Nguyen Quang Hai. However, Hanoi understand Hai’s desire to be challenged at a higher level and and the aspiration to conquer prestigious titles. Therefore, after April 12, Quang Hai will stop playing for us,” the club stated.

Hai has been through six professional seasons with Hanoi, playing 126 games and scoring 35 goals. At 24, he has won every domestic title, including three V. League titles, two National Cups, three Super Cups and the 2018 Vietnam Golden Ball.

At the national level, Hai helped Vietnam win the 2018 AFF Cup, 2019 SEA Games gold medal and advance to the final round of World Cup qualifiers. Head coach Park Hang-seo said he is the best attacking midfielder in Vietnam at present.

In the past months, Hanoi have tried to negotiate with and even promised Hai the highest salary plus bonus in the club. However, he refused because he wants to play football abroad.

The star midfielder affirmed that if he doesn’t succeed after a year abroad, he would return to Hanoi and promise not to play for any other club in Vietnam.

“Hai is a very professional player and an important member of Hanoi FC. We want him to continue with the club. But we also have no intention to stop him from developing his career. Hanoi always support the idea of Hai playing football abroad,” Hanoi FC Executive Director Nguyen Quoc Tuan told VnExpress.

Nguyen Dac Van, Hai’s agent, said that the midfielder decided to go abroad so that he would not regret it later.

“This is a good time for Quang Hai to go abroad and develop. In a year or two, maybe the opportunity will pass, his desire is not as great as it is now, or the interest of foreign clubs won’t be the same,” he said.

Hai will only play two more games for Hanoi before leaving. Several clubs in Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Switzerland and Austria are said to have contacted Hai.