Overseas Vietnamese defender hopes to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey: A classy figure, will be naturalized like Xuan Son

Overseas Vietnamese Kevin Pham Ba wants to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey

"I love life in Vietnam, I love the people here, everything is wonderful. I love my team and I am very happy to be here," Vietnamese-American defender Kevin Pham Ba shared at the Nam Dinh Club's departure ceremony, which took place on the morning of August 14.

Kevin Pham Ba grew up at the Sochaux training center (France). The player born in 1994 is the senior of Cao Pendant Quang Vinh at Sochaux. However, unlike Quang Vinh, Kevin Pham Ba did not stay at Sochaux, but moved to a series of clubs from professional to semi-professional in France to play.

Kevin Pham Ba will play for Nam Dinh in the second phase of V-League 2024 - 2025. The 31-year-old defender left his mark with 2 goals, including a cross-angle shot into Hanoi's net, helping Nam Dinh win 3-0 in the second leg and advance to the championship.

Kevin Pham Ba in Nam Dinh FC jersey

PHOTO: NAM DINH CLUB

Kevin Pham Ba decided to stay at Nam Dinh Club despite receiving offers from other teams. The player born in 1994 is in the process of naturalization. Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper , Kevin Pham Ba confirmed that he has completed the paperwork and is just waiting for the procedure to become a Vietnamese citizen.

"I want to play for the Vietnam national team. I am very happy with my life here and want to contribute and help the national team. Of course, if there is an opportunity, I am always ready. I love life in Vietnam, so I am always ready," Kevin Pham Ba affirmed.

"My goal is to play well, help Nam Dinh Club win the title and wear the Vietnam national team jersey. I am very happy. I want to continue, want to play well and I am very happy to be here."

Nam Dinh Club is supporting Kevin Pham Ba

Defender Kevin Pham Ba took the starting position on the right wing of Nam Dinh Club as soon as he arrived at Thien Truong Stadium. He has speed, technique and the ability to penetrate the penalty area and shoot.

Kevin Pham Ba is currently learning English and Vietnamese to communicate effectively with his teammates. Before returning to Vietnam, he mainly spoke French, which is not a common language at Nam Dinh Club.

Sharing with the press at the departure ceremony on the morning of August 14, coach Vu Hong Viet of Nam Dinh Club emphasized: "The team is in the process of naturalization procedures for Kevin Pham Ba. The procedures will be carried out step by step. The process is ongoing, but it is not yet possible to confirm when Kevin Pham Ba will have citizenship." Nam Dinh Team also supported naturalization for Rafaelson so that he could become a Vietnamese player with the familiar name Xuan Son.

Nam Dinh FC aims to become the first team to win the V-League three years in a row. Under the leadership of coach Vu Hong Viet, Nam Dinh has won three titles, including two V-League Cups (2023-2024, 2024-2025) and one National Super Cup (2023-2024).

In the opening match of V-League 2025 - 2026, Nam Dinh Club will compete with Hai Phong at Thien Truong home field at 6:00 p.m. on August 16.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hau-ve-viet-kieu-mong-khoac-ao-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-nhan-vat-dang-cap-se-nhap-tich-nhu-xuan-son-18525081414364491.htm