Phan Văn Đức joins the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.

For the 2026/27 season, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club has bolstered its lineup by acquiring midfielder Phan Văn Đức from the Hanoi Police Club.

The Ho Chi Minh City Police Club officially welcomed Phan Văn Đức, expressing hope that his creative play, agile movement, and decisive finishing will provide more attacking options.

According to some sources, Phan Văn Đức moved to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club on loan. The 1996-born midfielder has already taken part in his new team's training session and wears the number 8 shirt. During the 2025/26 season, he made 25 appearances across all competitions for the Hanoi Police Club, scoring three goals, but mostly came off the bench.

Moving to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club is seen as a chance for Phan Văn Đức to play more regularly, thereby regaining his form after a period affected by injuries. His experience in the V-League and the national team also represents a significant addition for the southern club.

Prior to bringing in Phan Văn Đức, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club had undergone a major personnel overhaul. The team parted ways with players such as Mạch Ngọc Hà, Tẩy Văn Toàn, Trần Mạnh Cường, Dương Văn Hào, Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, and Phạm Văn Luân.

Among the foreign players, Peter Makrillos, Raphael Success, Endrick Santos, and Matheus Felipe are no longer part of the club's plans for the new season. Replacing all foreign players indicates that the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club intends to significantly upgrade the squad's quality ahead of a season with a packed schedule.

Alongside the squad cleansing, the Thống Nhất Stadium club has also actively added new players. Center-back Nguyễn Nhật Minh, who previously played for Hải Phòng, was the chosen option to strengthen the defense. Additionally, forward Michael Olaha was brought in to boost the attack.

The most important change on the coaching bench is the arrival of head coach Diles Athanasios Arthur. The Australian manager was introduced to the entire squad on July 15 and will take over as head coach starting from the 2026/27 season. Arthur previously worked in the A-League with Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, and Western Sydney Wanderers.

The new head coach will be tasked with rebuilding the tactical system, selecting foreign players, and helping newcomers integrate with existing key figures such as goalkeeper Lê Giang Patrik, forwards Nguyễn Tiến Linh, Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường, Khoa Ngô, and Khổng Minh Gia Bảo.

In the 2026/27 season, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club will not only compete in the V-League and the National Cup but also represent Vietnamese football in the ASEAN Club Championship. Competing on multiple fronts requires the team to have a deep squad with good rotation capability.

After winning the National Cup last season, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club aims to maintain its domestic standing while also targeting positive results on the regional stage.

The arrival of Phan Văn Đức, along with the significant changes in personnel and coaching staff, demonstrates the ambition of the Thống Nhất Stadium club ahead of the new season.