Striker Nguyễn Công Phượng (left) and HCM City’s chairman Nguyễn Hữu Thắng. – Photo HCM City FC

HCM CITY — New signing Nguyễn Công Phượng was officially presented by  V.League 1 side HCM City FC on Monday.

Earlier, last season's league runners-up reached a deal to bring home the striker from Sint-Truidense of Belgium. HCM City bought the remaining half of the one-year loan deal signed in July between Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) FC and Sint-Truidense.

At the new team, Phượng will wear the No 21 jersey. He will compete alongside his former teammates from HAGL Lê Văn Sơn and Lê Đức Lương, as well as goalkeeper of Việt Nam U23 team Bùi Tiến Dũng.

The return to Việt Nam is a chance for Phượng  to redeem himself after a difficult six months in Belgium, during which he only played 20 first team minutes.

This year, HCM City will compete in the AFC Champions League, V.League 1, ASEAN Clubs Championship and the National Cup.

“I am very happy to compete in Việt Nam. I will try my best to help HCM City and I wish I will have a good result in the jersey of HCM City,” said Phượng.

Managing HCM City is South Korean coach Chung Hae-soung who was technical director of HAGL in 2017-18.

“Coach Chung worked with me at HAGL so I think it is a good chance for me to integrate better and bring success for the club,” said Phượng. — VNS