Midfielder Nguyen Thi My Anh and defenders Le Hoai Luong and Tran Thi Kim Anh made history when they signed deals with Thai Nguyen T&T FC on May 27.

Under their contracts, former national player My Anh will earn VND500 million (US$21,500) over two years with the club, along with a VND30 million ($1,300) per month salary.

Luong will take VND400 million ($17,200) over two years and a VND30 million ($1,300) per month salary. Kim Anh has not revealed her contract details.

The amounts are still far below what their male colleagues received, but it is a milestone in the national football community nonetheless.

The three players were with HCM City FC before becoming free players late last year.

"The salary and compensation are much higher than what I received from my former club. I will try hard to show my best for the new club and hope to be called back to the national team," My Anh said, adding that her first month's salary will be sent home to support her family.

My Anh was one of the players in Vietnam's 2022 Asian Cup finals who qualified for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

The 28-year-old, who played well in different positions on Mai Duc Chung's team, did not reveal her former salary but it was said around VND15 million ($750) per month, plus bonuses if available.

The first signing-on fee given to female players not only improves their living conditions but is also another step towards professionalisation in women's football in Vietnam," a statement from Thai Nguyen T&T said.

"Thai Nguyen T&T believe that after many years of hard work and great contributions, women players are finally receiving accurate assessment and recognition like male football stars," the statement said.

"These contracts will be motivation for national women's football training and competing activities. Young players will see a brighter future through this milestone. This is what women's football needs to develop stably."

Ha Thi Thuy is a player of Thai Nguyen T&T. She has been pushed from the U19 side to the first team. Thuy receives VND9 million ($390) per month, which is three times more than in the past when Thai Nguyen was not sponsored.

“Their (My Anh, Kim Anh and Luong) high salary and signing-on fees are a really good sign for football. It encourages us to train harder and I hope we will have a good contract like them,” Thuy said. 

With three new players, Thai Nguyen T&T expect to challenge for the championship title in the next three to five years. Their target for the 2022 season is a top-three finish.

The team managers will also receive a record bonus of VND50 million ($2,150) for a win and VND20 million ($860) for a draw. These are the biggest bonuses for a women's football club in Vietnam to date.

Last year, they finish fourth in the five-sided tournament. 

Source: Vietnam News