CAHN unexpectedly welcomes back a former player who once paved their path to promotion

Dinh Thanh Binh is back with Hanoi Police, rejoining the team with which he won the First Division and earned a spot in the V.League in 2022.

Dinh Thanh Binh has officially become a new signing for Hanoi Police FC ahead of the 2026/27 season. The capital club confirmed the completed deal and described the striker born in 1998 as a strategic addition to their attack. In the announcement, CAHN emphasized: “Dinh Thanh Binh is expected to enhance the attacking strength of Hanoi Police FC in both domestic and international competitions.”

The notable aspect of this transfer is not just a new contract. It is also a special homecoming for Thanh Binh with the club tied to a major turning point in his career. The current Hanoi Police FC evolved from the former Cong An Nhan Dan club. In the 2022 season, Thanh Binh was loaned from HAGL to CAND and became part of the squad that won the First Division, thereby earning a place in the 2023 V.League.

The mark of the Thanh Hoa-born forward at the police club actually appeared before that championship season. In 2020, he scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Trieu Minh. That same season, Thanh Binh fired a free kick from over 30 meters to open the scoring against Tien Giang, helping CAND edge closer to the promotion race. Those performances showed he was not just a target man but also a vital source of goals for the team.

After leaving CAND, Thanh Binh’s career went through various stages. He returned to HAGL, scoring four goals and providing one assist in over 915 minutes of play during the 2023/24 season. He then played a part in Phu Dong Ninh Binh’s First Division title win in 2024/25 and was selected for the competition’s Team of the Season.

In the second half of the 2025/26 season, Thanh Binh moved to Cong An Ho Chi Minh City on loan from Ninh Binh. He failed to score in 12 V.League appearances, but netted four goals in just 45 minutes during the semifinal of the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival football event. That detail could not erase a difficult season, yet it showed that the finishing instincts of the 28-year-old striker have not completely vanished.

Beyond his professional ability, Thanh Binh’s work ethic was once highly praised by coach Nguyen Viet Thang when the two collaborated at Ninh Binh: “Not only Van Lam, Hoang Duc, Quoc Viet, but also Dinh Thanh Binh are all professional. I deeply respect their attitude in training and daily life. I didn’t expect them to adapt so quickly. They have a very strong team spirit. I’m happy about that.”

Thanh Binh came through the HAGL JMG academy, played at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and has been part of the U-23 squad and the Vietnam national team multiple times. His experience, physical strength, and powerful playing style give him a unique option for CAHN’s attack.

However, the chance for a fresh start also comes with great pressure. Thanh Binh must rediscover his scoring rhythm in a highly competitive squad, while proving that CAHN’s decision was not driven solely by the fond memories of 2022. Four years after the First Division title, the familiar jersey is opening a new chapter—but his place on the pitch will have to be earned all over again.