Midfielder Nguyễn Tuấn Anh has signed a three-year contract with defending V.League 1 champions Nam Định. — Photo danviet.vn

NAM ĐỊNH — Midfielder Nguyễn Tuấn Anh has just signed a three-year contract with defending V.League 1 champions Nam Định. The contract can be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement between both parties.

"I am very happy to sign a long-term contract with Nam Định. I will try my best to play well and work with my teammates to bring more achievements to the team," Anh said.

Anh was born in 1995 in Thái Bình Province and perfected his footballing skills at the HAGL Arsenal JMG Academy. He was once considered by the chairman of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) Club, Đoàn Nguyên Đức, to be the most talented player from this academy.

However, Anh's career path was difficult due to recurring injuries and many absences from major events with the U23 and national teams.

Along with teammates Lương Xuân Trường and Nguyễn Công Phượng, Anh was promoted to the HAGL senior team in 2015 to play in the V.League 1, but he did not win any titles with them.

In the middle of the 2023/24 season, Anh joined Nam Định on loan, where he contributed to the team's V.League 1 title triumph.

At Nam Định, Anh has reunited with his two former HAGL Arsenal JMG Academy teammates, Nguyễn Văn Toàn and Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy, who also won their first league title at the club level this season.

For several seasons Nam Định used to struggle to avoid relegation, but with the arrival of sponsor Xuân Thiện, the team have spent money to recruit several experienced players, such as goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh, Hendrio da Silva and Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes. The line up has helped the team beat many strong opponents, including Hà Nội Police, Hà Nội FC and Viettel, to win the V.League 1 2023/24 title. VNS