French-Vietnamese striker is about to make his debut in Vietnam

French-Vietnamese forward Phi Long Karim Trần is expected to take the field in the friendly between Hà Tĩnh and SLNA.

All eyes of football fans in the Hồng Lĩnh region are focused on the friendly match between Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh and Sông Lam Nghệ An scheduled for January 7, 2026. This is not only the Nghệ Tĩnh derby preparing for the second phase of the V.League, but also the official debut stage for the French-Vietnamese striker Phi Long Karim Trần.After a short training period with his new team, the 21-year-old player will face the most crucial test to determine his future in the Central region of Vietnam.

Phi Long Karim Trần joined Hà Tĩnh with an impressive background, having just left FC United Richelle in Belgium’s fourth division. Born in France with Vietnamese, French, and Algerian heritage, this striker stands 1.76 meters tall and is right-footed. Specializing as a right winger, Karim Trần is expected to bring breakthrough ability and speed to the attacking line, which currently lacks sharp options on the flanks under the head coach of Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh.

The Central team’s decision to trial a player trained in Europe shows a very clear transfer strategy. Belgian football demands high physical fitness, strength, and strong tackling ability, which fits well with the pragmatic and energetic style Hà Tĩnh is building. The upcoming match against SLNA will be Karim Trần’s chance to prove whether he can handle the intensity and toughness of Vietnamese football.

In fact, Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh has had very positive experiences with Vietnamese overseas players before. The case of Viktor Lê previously is the most vivid example of how a player developed in Europe can quickly adapt and contribute effectively if given the right opportunity at the right time. The success of predecessors is a great motivation for Karim Trần to confidently showcase himself during this trial period.

Notably, Karim Trần’s arrival fits the general trend as Vietnamese football actively attracts talents from abroad, exemplified recently by Rahni Moreau Nguyễn (Bordeaux B). If he performs well in the friendly on January 7, it is very feasible to proceed with legal procedures for naturalization and official registration for Karim Trần in the second phase, giving Hà Tĩnh an additional high-quality "domestic" player.

Fans are eagerly waiting to see how the "speedster" from Belgium will perform against the famous defense of neighboring SLNA. An impressive debut not only opens the door for Phi Long Karim Trần to sign a formal contract but also injects new energy into Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh’s ambitions in the relegation battle and their push up the V.League 2025-2026 standings.