Former V.League champion set to recruit Asian-winning center-back

Hanoi FC is said to be on the verge of adding central defender Daniel Hall to their ranks, fresh from his A-League and AFC Cup triumphs with Australian sides.

Hanoi FC is demonstrating significant ambition in strengthening their squad ahead of the new season, as they move very close to securing a deal for Daniel Hall – a center-back who just won the A-League with Auckland FC. If completed, this promises to be one of the highest-quality foreign players arriving in the V.League for the 2026/27 season.

According to sources, the capital club is likely to sign Daniel Hall on a free transfer, as his contract with Auckland FC expires on June 30. The 1999-born defender stands 1.84m tall, holds dual Australian and Fijian citizenship, and is currently regarded as one of the most consistent defenders in the A-League.

Last season, Daniel Hall made 29 appearances for Auckland FC, totaling 2,599 minutes on the pitch, averaging nearly full matches. Notably, despite regularly playing in central defense and facing many fast attackers, he received only four yellow cards throughout the season. This reflects his calm playing style, strong reading of the game, and remarkable consistency as a 27-year-old center-back.

Daniel Hall not only impressed at Auckland FC but also boasts an impressive record in Australian football. While playing for Central Coast Mariners, he won the A-League twice in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. Remarkably, he also contributed to his Australian club winning the AFC Cup in the 2023/24 season – a rare continental title for Australian football in recent years.

Currently, Daniel Hall is valued at €650,000 by Transfermarkt, equivalent to around 20 billion VND. This is also the highest valuation of his career, indicating he is at his peak form. This is considered a significant difference compared to many foreign players who arrived in the V.League after their prime years.

The fact that coach Harry Kewell is bringing a fellow Australian center-back to Hanoi FC is not entirely surprising. The capital club needs another defensive leader to share the burden with players like Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, or Anh Tiep. If Daniel Hall adapts well and succeeds in the V.League, this deal could not only boost Hanoi FC's competitiveness but also open a new trend as more Australian players choose Vietnam as a career destination.