Filip Nguyễn poses with the jersey of Hà Nội Police. The goalkeeper will play for the new team later this month. Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Police FC

HÀ NỘI — Filip Nguyễn has become the most expensive player of the 2023 V.League 1 after signing a contract with Hà Nội Police FC on June 30.

Nguyễn will play for the club for three years, starting from the second phase of the league later this month.

The two parties can extend their deal if both feel pleased with each other's performance.

"Finally, I'm back home! And my dream has come true!" Nguyễn said at the signing.

"Thank you to the Việt Nam Football Federation; the entire Board of Directors of Hà Nội Police Football Club for trusting me to become the goalkeeper of the club.

"I will do my best on the pitch for the fans, the entire club, and my family and friends, and will always strive to achieve my and the club's goals. I also hope that the fans, the club's board of directors, and my family and friends will continue to support and encourage me.

"I hope that my coaching staff and teammates at the Hà Nội Police Club will help me contribute to the club and to Việt Nam's football. I heard the saying somewhere, predestined is the right person, at the right time. I am half Vietnamese blood and I believe that I and Hà Nội Police Club are in a predestined relationship! In addition to listening to my words, please see how I act!" he said.

Filip Nguyễn signs a three-year contract with Hà Nội Police during a ceremony in Hà Nội on June 30. Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Police FC

The value of the contract has not been revealed but media in Czechia reported that the Vietnamese side had to pay around US$760,700 to bring the 31-year-old Nguyễn to Hà Nội. This is also his price in the transfer market.

It is rumoured that the new team of the V.League 1 will give a big amount upon signing. This amount, according to both Vietnamese and Czech media, is several times higher than what he received in Europe.

Hà Nội Police will hire a Vietnamese teacher for Nguyễn and take care of his accommodation in the city.

Hà Nội Police tried to bring Nguyễn home in the previous season but the deal failed as he faced a problem in ending his contract with Slovacko.

Nguyễn was born in 1992, to a Vietnamese father and a Czech mother. He trained at the Sparta Prague Football Centre before playing for Sparta Prague B, Vlasim, Slovan Liberec, and Slovacko.  

He made his name when playing for Slovan Liberec winning the best goalkeeper award of the domestic league in the 2018-19 season.

Prior to his flight to Việt Nam, Nguyễn ended his deal with Slovacko FC although it is still technically valid until the end of 2024. Slovacko placed No 5 in the 2022-23 season.

He played 76 matches and kept his net clean in 19 of them. In the last season, he was the top goalkeeper of the team playing a total of 4,125 minutes in 46 matches in the local league, UEFA Europa Conference League and Europa League qualification. He was a shot-stopper with the most clean sheets this season with 11 matches without conceding a goal.

He has been called to the Czech national team several times but has not played for them. 

Nguyễn is the most expensive player in the national premier league.

Forwards Douglas Coutinho and Andre Luiz of Nam Định FC are second and third at 450,000 euros and 350,000 euros, respectively.

Filip Nguyễn (left) arrives in Hà Nội on June 29 and is welcomed by the Police's official Lê Hồng Thái at the Nội Bài Airport. -- Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Police FC

Prior to Nguyễn, Hà Nội Police also signed with talented Nguyễn Quang Hải who is valued at 300,000 euros internationally.

Currently, the Police lead the V.League 1 with 24 points after 12 matches. Nguyễn will be the fourth goalkeeper of the Police, along with Patrik Lê Giang, Bùi Tiến Dũng and Đỗ Sỹ Huy, but will be top, taking charge of the sheet.

Đông Á Thanh Hóa and Hà Nội FC are close behind with a one-point gap. With the join of the star shot-stopper, the Police expect to finish at the top of the league in their V.League 1 debut.

The Police will visit SHB Đà Nẵng on July 2 at the Hòa Xuân Stadium in Đà Nẵng. VNS