Phan Văn Đức (left) will stay at Sông Lam Nghệ An until the end of the 2024 season. Photo slnafc.com

VINH  Việt Nam national team forward Phan Văn Đức signed a record-breaking contract at Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) on Wednesday, committing him to the club for the next three years.

Despite reports that HCM City FC had made Đức, whose previous contract was set to expire after this season, an offer worth VNĐ12 billion (US$520,000) over three years, he signed a deal for SLNA reportedly worth more than VNĐ10 billion.

The deal makes him the highest-paid player in the history of the club.

"I feel extremely happy and amazing to receive the trust from the board, sponsors, coaching staff and everyone else," Đức wrote on his Facebook account after signing the new contract.

“I also want to tell the truth to everyone that before signing the contract, many teams offered me benefits that are considered the dream for a player.

“At times I said yes to them but in my heart, I still wished to stay and play for SLNA. Wherever you go, it will never be as good as your hometown where you have family, friends, colleagues, a wife, and children. This is also a place that raised me from I was a child until I became a professional footballer."

Đức added: “Now that everything is in order, this is a new page in my life. I believe SLNA will change and return to being a team loved by fans everywhere.”

SLNA have also made an offer to star midfielder Phạm Xuân Mạnh, but the 25-year-old thought to be mulling another offer from HCM City worth up to VNĐ12 billion.

SLNA is one of the most successful football clubs in Vietnamese history, but financial difficulties and the absence of many key players due to injuries and suspensions have left them bottom of the V.League 1 rankings after 12 matches.

But with the arrival of the new sponsor Tân Long Group and the signing of Đức, the future looks a bit brighter.

Đức, 35, entered the SLNA youth academy at the age of 12. He first played for the first team in 2016 and has played 83 matches and scored 38 goals and won the National Super Cup with SLNA. He is considered the most important player on the team.

After failing to sign Văn Đức, HCM City successfully signed defender Brendon Lucas from Leixoes SC -- ranked 10th in the Liga Portugal 2.

The 25-year-old Brazilian defender signed a 1.5-year contract with HCM City. Lucas is a Portimonense player of the Primeira Liga in Portugal and has been on loan at Leixoes SC on loan since the beginning of 2020.

Leixoes SC is also where Vietnamese football legend Lê Công Vinh played for a short period of time in 2009. VNS