Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hanoi: Hanoi T&T will have a former Paris Saint-Germain striker leading their charge to qualify for the coming AFC Champions League campaign after completing a deal for Loris Arnaud.
The move was confirmed by the Vietnamese outfit earlier this week, after Arnaud had sufficiently impressed having been on trial since last November.
Hanoi T&T are currently preparing for the start of the new season, which will see them attempt to progress to the AFC Champions League group stage for the first time after they finished last year as runners-up to Becamex Binh Duong in V.League 1.
The club had a similar chance to play in Asia’s premier club competition last year but failed at the final hurdle, losing 7-0 to Korea Republic’s FC Seoul in the qualifying playoffs.
This time around, they meet Hong Kong’s Kitchee in the second preliminary round, with the winners going on to face South Korean giants Pohang Steelers in the playoffs.
Arnaud, who began his career at PSG and scored two goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances for the club before moving on, expressed excitement at the new chapter in his career.
“I’m so happy that I will be fighting for one of the strongest teams in Vietnam – Hanoi T&T,” he said, in a statement published on the club’s official Facebook page.
“I think the coach Phan Thanh Hung will help me play to the best of my abilities.
“I’m ready to do everything to help the team get stronger (and) I do everything to help the club win more titles.
“Hanoi T&T is a strong team with plenty of great players, which is why I’m really glad to be joining them.”
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In addition to his time at the Parc des Princes, the 28-year-old has had spells at French sides Clermont, Angers and Orleans, as well as in Bulgaria with Chernomorets Burgas.
Although Arnaud’s arrival means the club now have four foreigners on their books, it appears one of them will have to sit out their AFC Champions League campaign given AFC rules stipulate one import player has to be from an Asian nation.
At present, the foreign stars at Phan’s disposal are Arnaud, Argentineans Gonzalo Marronkle and Victor Ormazabal, as well as Haiti international Jean-Eudes Maurice, who also previously played for PSG.
Photo: AFP