Bulgarian Vietnamese footballer makes breakthrough in V-League

From a name once doubted, Tran Thanh Trung is gradually proving his worth at Ninh Binh Club. Amidst the fierce competition in the V-League, this 21-year-old midfielder not only seized opportunities to shine but also demonstrated potential to become a key figure in Vietnamese football in the future.

The adaptation of a young player returning from a European football environment has never been an easy story.

For Tran Thanh Trung, that journey was even more challenging as he faced fitness issues, injuries, and did not fully gain trust at various levels of the Vietnamese national team.

But football always has room for those who know how to wait and seize opportunities, and this season has been a turning point forthe midfielder born in 2005.

After returning to Vietnam in 2025, having grown from the CSKA Sofia academy, Thanh Trung was once highly anticipated but quickly faced harsh reality. Under coach Kim Sang Sik at the Vietnam U23 team,Thanh Trungwas repeatedly called up and then dropped due to failing to meet requirements for fitness and consistency.

When names like Xuan Bac, Thai Son, or Van Truong were prioritized, Thanh Trung seemed to become a secondary option.

But at the club level, the story is entirely different. At Ninh Binh Club, where the philosophy of developing young players is emphasized,Thanh Trunghas been given clearer opportunities. Importantly, the player born in 2005 did not waste those chances.

17 appearances across all competitions (including 15 in V-League, 7 as starter), 2 goals—numbers not overly explosive, but the value lies in how this player performs. The recent goal against PVF CAND showcased confident, technical, and distinctly European-style handling. Earlier, he also scored against Hanoi Police, a top-tier opponent in the league.

More notably, Thanh Trung has not only made his mark with goals. When Hoang Duc was injured, the gap in Ninh Binh's midfield was significant. But the 21-year-old player showed rapid maturity by participating in play orchestration and not hesitating in physical challenges. Thanh Trung may not be perfect yet, but clearly progresses match by match.

As the V-League enters its decisive phase, Ninh Binh ranks 3rd with 37 points and retains full opportunity to compete for medals. Major upcoming matches like facing Hanoi FC in round 20, the National Cup semifinal against The Cong Viettel... will be clear tests for the team's resilience, and also opportunities for Thanh Trung to further affirm himself.

When direct competitors like Van Truong or Thai Son face injuries, and Xuan Bac shows signs of overload, the advantage shifts toward the Vietnamese-origin player. But unlike before, this time Thanh Trung is not merely waiting for chances but creating opportunities for himself.

Age 21 is a time of ambition and margin for error, but also a period for career shaping. Thanh Trung may not yet be a star, but is being invested correctly and most importantly, developed within an ambitious collective. If he continues this progress, the midfielder born in 2005 could fully become a "new solution" for Vietnam football's midfield puzzle.