VietNamNet Bridge – SHB Da Nang have signed three new foreign players to strenthen their spine this off-season ahead of their 2019 V. League 1 campaign.

French defender Victor Nirennold trains in jersey of SHB Da Nang. — VNS Photo The Dinh

Defender Victor Nirennold of France, midfielder Dominik Schmitt of Germany and Brazilian striker Patrick Bonifacio are set to bolster the squad, alongside naturalised Vietnamese striker Do Merlo, who was born in Argentina as Gaston Merlo.

The central city-based team debuted its 29-member squad in a ceremony yesterday, hoping for a return to championship contention after consecutive ninth place finishes in the last two seasons.

The team has also welcomed the return of coach Le Huynh Duc, who agreed to take the driving seat of SHB Da Nang after former coach Nguyen Minh Phuong was sacked in late 2018.

The team said French defender Victor, who stands at 1.94m, will link up with national U23 team members Au Van Hoan and Pham Manh Hung, and newly signed Nguyen Cong Nhat from Thua Thien-Hue to form a solid defence.

Brazilian striker Bonifacio, 25, will likely partner with Merlo up front for the openera against Viettel at home on February 24.

Merlo scored 92 goals between 2008 and 2016 for Da Nang since he started playing for the team, and helped the team win the championship in 2009 and 2012.

He was also honoured with the Best Foreign Footballer Award and was top scorer in the V. League three times, and won the National Cup in 2009 and the Super Cup in 2012. 

Midfielder Dominik Schmitt of Germany (left) fights for the ball with Argentine-born Do Merlo in a training match in Da Nang. — VNS Photo The Dinh Brazilian striker Patrick Bonifacio smiles as he walks in Hoa Xuan Stadium in Da Nang City. He will play for SHB Da Nang in 2019. — VNS Photo The Dinh

Source: VNS