HÀ NỘI — In an attempt to improve for the next V.League 1 season, HCM City FC have released 13 players and are set to sign some new faces.

The players leaving the southern side include four strikers, six midfielders, one defender and two goalkeepers.

Among them are midfielders Châu Lê Phước Vĩnh and Võ Duy Nam and goalie Quốc Thiện Esele, who have performed at their peak in recent seasons.

Two key players in HCM City’s successful battle against relegation this season, Victor Ormazabal and Dominique  Da Sylva,  also left. Ormazabal was the club’s top scorer in the last campaign, netting eight times.

Since Lê Công Vinh became president of the club last year he has fired 21 people, including head coach Alain Fiard.

Recently, he hired former national coach Toshiya Miura to take over the reins for the next season.

Rumours abound of highly-touted midfielder Trần Phi Sơn joining the team next month.

Other new members such as goalkeeper Thanh Diệp from Cần Thơ and defender Sầm Ngọc Đức will be introduced soon.

“The players that were released did not show good professional skills and I did not see them working hard. I will push up some players from the young squad to replace them,” Vinh said.

“I have reached a draft contract with Miura and Sơn, but this is not the time to make the announcement. We plan to welcome 10 new players to HCM City,” he added. — VNS