The influx of Vietnamese overseas players into the V-League is adding diversity to the league and providing Coach Kim Sang Sik with more options for the Vietnam national team in the future.

On August 17th, American-Vietnamese player Kyle Colonna was officially introduced by Hanoi FC. He is the third new signing for the capital’s club ahead of the 2024/25 season, following Ho Thanh Minh and Chu Van Kien.

Born in 1999 in Danville, California, Kyle has a Vietnamese mother. He stands out with his height of 1.91 meters and primarily plays as a central defender. In the upcoming season, Kyle will don the number 4 jersey.

Before joining the V-League, Colonna made a name for himself in the U.S. college soccer scene and signed a professional contract with New Mexico United, competing in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer. The 1999-born defender made 11 appearances, scored 2 goals, and achieved a pass completion rate of 86%.

"I heard stories about Vietnam from my mother since I was a child, and she often cooked traditional Vietnamese dishes for me. I’ve always dreamed of coming back here. Now, I’ve made that dream come true, and even more. I’m determined to give my best and help the team achieve the highest possible position in the 2024/25 season," said Kyle Colonna.

Starting from the 2024/25 season, each V-League team is allowed to field up to two Vietnamese overseas players. This has led many clubs to actively seek quality Vietnamese overseas talent.

Before Kyle Colonna joined Hanoi FC, CAHN signed a two-year contract with Jason Pendant Quang Vinh, a left-back. The player, who has previously competed in France's Ligue 2, is expected to make a significant impact and may even gain Vietnamese citizenship in the near future.

In another development, New Zealand-Vietnamese striker Kaelin Nguyen is currently undergoing trials with Hai Phong FC and is likely to be signed. The 2003-born forward previously played for Wellington Olympic in New Zealand's National League, scoring 8 goals in 20 appearances in 2023.

Earlier, players like Nguyen Filip and Patrik Le Giang also returned to Vietnam and found success. Nguyen Filip even gained Vietnamese citizenship and earned a spot on the national team after just a few months with CAHN.

The growing number of Vietnamese overseas players in the V-League is a positive sign for the Vietnam national team. Coach Kim Sang Sik is eager to see more new faces and quality players who have received professional training. However, succeeding in the V-League and earning a spot on the national team will not be an easy feat for these Vietnamese-origin players.

Dai Nam