Defender Brendon Lucas recently signed for HCM City FC. Photo record.pt

HCM City FC have made the biggest splash by signing Brazilian defender Brendon Lucas.

The 26-year-old signed a one and a half year deal with HCM City for an undisclosed fee.

Before coming to Thong Nhat Stadium, Lucas played 27 matches for Leixoes SC jersey in Portugal on loan from Portimonense, also in Portugal.

HCM City also terminated the contracts of forwards Dario Frederico da Silva and Junior Barros.

They also let forwards Vu Quang Nam and Nguyen Cong Thanh join the V.League 2's Ba Ria-Vung Tau on loans until the end of the season, while the V.League 2's 2018 top scorer Nguyen Xuan Nam made a permament move to Binh Dinh.

HCM City, who also extended the contracts of goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Thang and midfielder Tran Thanh Binh, plan to sign more players according to coach Alexandre Polking.

HCM City are No 11 in the table, three spots higher than bottom-placed Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) who have also made changes to their squad.

Michael Olaha practises during his quarantine time. He is to make a return to Song Lam Nghe An this season. Photo of Song Lam Nghe An FC facebook

SLNA plan to trial two foreigners, including forward Michael Olaha.

Ohala played 76 matches and scored 18 goals for SLNA in 2017-19 before he moved to Israel's Hapoel Kfar Shalem FC.

The other player on trial is former Nigeria U23 defender Sergio Osagho Uyi.

The 28-year-old journeyman has played for various clubs around Europe and Asia. He went on trial at SLNA last year but failed to win a contract due to injury.

The newcomers are expected to replace defender Igor Jelic and striker Bruno Henrique who look set to be let go after only 10 matches.

Along with new contracts, SLNA have also promoted some of their young players to the first team.

The 18-year-old players who were successful at national junior championships in recent seasons are defender Trinh Hoang Canh, midfielders Nguyen Van Bach, Dinh Xuan Tien and Ho Van Cuong, and striker Phan Xuan Dai. 

According to Quang Ninh FC, their forward Mac Hong Quan and midfielder Nghiem Xuan Tu will move to Binh Dinh in the second half of the season on permanent deals.

They will reportedly receive VND2.5 billion ($103,000) each per season for 3.5 and 2.5 years, respectively.

Quan's contract with Quang Ninh was valid until the end of 2023 while Tu's was set to expire at the end of this season.

Even though Quang Ninh owe them several months worth of salary and bonuses, both had to pay compensation to the club to let them out of their contracts early.

Due to the club's financial problem, defender Duong Van Khoa and captain Nguyen Hai Huy are also looking for new homes and have been linked to HCM City.

Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) have not signed new players but have sent several youngsters on loan to Hai Phong.

U22 player Dung Quang Nho, defender Tran Huu Dong Trieu and midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang have all moved to the northern port side on temporary deals as they battle to avoid relegation.

"There are talented players in HAGL and I have not had much chance to play. In the second half of the season, I will play for Hai Phong and hope I will have opportunities to show my skills," said Quang.

Hai Phong are third from bottom of the table and play Binh Dinh next.

The V.League 1 is planed to restart on July 31 with the last matches of the first period while the second period might be held in several stadiums in the north from August 4-22.

Source: Vietnam News

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