Nam Dinh, April 24, 2025 – Nam Dinh FC announced on April 24 a series of long-term contract extensions for key players, signaling their ambition to sustain their V.League dominance. Leading the pack is striker Nguyen Xuan Son, who signed a landmark six-year deal until 2031, likely tying the 28-year-old to the club for the remainder of his career, as he’ll be 34 when the contract expires.
Xuan Son, a fan favorite, expressed his deep connection to Nam Dinh FC, praising the electric atmosphere at Thien Truong Stadium and his settled life in the city. The 1997-born forward rejected overseas offers to stay, having risen from a 23-year-old prospect in 2020 to one of V.League’s greatest strikers. His 31 goals in the 2023-2024 season clinched the Golden Boot and powered Nam Dinh FC’s maiden V.League title, shattering club records. His pivotal role in Vietnam’s 2024 AFF Cup triumph, alongside Hanoi Police FC’s Nguyen Quang Hai, cemented his legacy.
After stints with Da Nang FC and Binh Dinh FC, Xuan Son’s 2023 return to Nam Dinh FC marked a turning point. The club, no longer a scrappy underdog, offered him a top-tier salary and elite teammates like The Cong Viettel’s Nguyen Hoang Duc. The reunion delivered instant success, with Xuan Son’s lethal finishing transforming Nam Dinh FC into a powerhouse. Currently, he’s in phase three of recovery from an ankle injury sustained in the 2024 AFF Cup final against Thailand. Medical evaluations show strong progress, with strength training underway, targeting a September return.
Nam Dinh FC also extended contracts for goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh, forwards Nguyen Van Vi and Ly Cong Hoang Anh, defenders Tran Thanh Hao and Nguyen Van Kien, midfielder Caio Cesar, and winger Nguyen Hong Duy, with most deals running through 2028 or 2029. Hong Duy, a former Hoang Anh Gia Lai star, and Van Vi, a 2024 AFF Cup standout, ensure depth as Nam Dinh FC chase a second straight V.League crown, leading with 35 points after 20 rounds.
The extensions reflect Nam Dinh FC’s transformation into a financial and competitive force, rivaling Song Lam Nghe An’s regional influence.
With Xuan Son’s recovery on track and a bolstered squad, coach Vu Hong Viet aims to fend off Hanoi FC’s challenge in Round 21 and defend their title, while eyeing the 2025 AFC Champions League Two. Fans, packing Thien Truong’s 30,000 seats, see this as a golden era for the “Thanh Nam warriors.”
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