Hoang Anh Gia Lai football academy has announced a groundbreaking change in their training program, signaling a shift in how future generations of players will progress within the club. Unlike their predecessors such as Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Van Toan, upcoming players will no longer be committed to the Hoang Anh Gia Lai football club for the majority of their youth careers.
Historically, the first generation of players from the Hoang Anh Gia Lai-JMG Academy, including stars like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Van Toan, has been considered the most successful products of the academy. These players have formed the backbone of Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s squad for several seasons in the V-League, and many have become key figures in the Vietnam national team.
However, this same group of players has faced considerable controversy over the terms of their youth contracts. In most football academies across Vietnam, youth training contracts typically end when the players reach the age of 25. At that point, players are free to seek new opportunities and move to other clubs if they wish.
In contrast, players from the first batch of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai-JMG Academy were under contract until the age of 28, which restricted their ability to transfer to other clubs earlier in their careers. This extended contract duration has led to difficulties for several players who sought to leave Hoang Anh Gia Lai in search of new challenges.
Starting from August 22, 2024, Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s youth academy will adjust the contract terms for its new trainees. Moving forward, players will have their youth training contracts with Hoang Anh Gia Lai expire at the age of 24, instead of 28, as was the case with previous generations. This change is expected to provide more flexibility for young talents, allowing them to explore professional opportunities elsewhere at a younger age.
To date, most of the players from Hoang Anh Gia Lai-JMG’s first training cohort have left the club. Minh Vuong remains one of the few exceptions, still playing for Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Meanwhile, Tuan Anh, another prominent figure from the first generation, recently became the latest player to leave Hoang Anh Gia Lai, joining Nam Dinh FC.
This strategic shift in contract policy reflects a broader understanding by the Hoang Anh Gia Lai management of the need to provide young players with greater autonomy and career growth opportunities. The new policy aims to foster a more dynamic environment where emerging talents can thrive and make independent decisions regarding their professional paths.
With this change, Hoang Anh Gia Lai hopes to continue being a nurturing ground for football talent, not only within the club but also on a broader scale, contributing positively to Vietnamese football and beyond. The new contract terms are expected to attract more young players to join the academy, knowing that their career mobility will not be unduly restricted, thereby reinforcing Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s reputation as a leading football academy in Vietnam.
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