Duc Chien's contract with The Cong was set to expire on 24/8/2025, his 27th birthday. This prevented him from joining V-League newcomer Ninh Binh despite a preliminary agreement.

The domestic player transfer window for the 2025-2026 season closes on 15/8. Therefore, if he stayed with The Cong until 24/8 to avoid a buyout fee, Chien would miss the first half of the season with Ninh Binh.

Midfielder Nguyen Duc Chien travels with The Cong to Pleiku on 9/5 to prepare for the match against HAGL in round 22 of the 2024-2025 V-League. Photo: The Cong

Midfielder Nguyen Duc Chien travels with The Cong to Pleiku on 9/5 to prepare for the match against HAGL in round 22 of the 2024-2025 V-League. Photo: The Cong

The Cong set a price of 3 billion VND for the remaining two months of Chien's contract. After negotiations, Chien agreed to pay the fee for an early release.

Duc Chien and The Cong had a falling out after the midfielder refused to extend his contract. On 15/6, The Cong announced they were parting ways with Chien just before round 25 of the 2024-2025 V-League. The club dropped the 1998-born player from the first team for the matches in rounds 25 and 26 of the V-League, as well as the National Cup semi-final loss to Cong An Ha Noi (1-3).

The 27-year-old midfielder expressed his disappointment about the abrupt end to his season and the lack of opportunity to say goodbye to the fans. "After more than a decade of dedication and contribution, if not merit, there was certainly hardship," Chien wrote on his Facebook page on 27/6. "The beautiful memories of the final days were incomplete, a slightly bland farewell."

Chien's close friend, Nguyen Hoang Duc, also left The Cong in a similar manner last year. Duc’s contract was due to expire on 11/1/2025, but he wanted to leave early. Initially, The Cong sought around 6 billion VND but settled for 1 billion VND after negotiations.

Duc Chien will join Ninh Binh on a three-year contract worth at least 15 billion VND, paid as a lump sum. This is the Hai Duong native's first major professional contract.

Duc Chien is a product of The Cong Viettel's youth academy, part of a talented generation that included Nguyen Hoang Duc and Duong Van Hao. He joined the first team in 2016, winning the 2018 National First Division title and the 2020 V-League championship.

Chien can play as a central defender or defensive midfielder. He has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 134 matches. This season, he scored two goals in 22 matches, playing 1,807 minutes.

After Hoang Duc left, Chien was expected to stay with The Cong long-term. However, he decided to seek a new challenge and a better financial package.

Duc Chien is Ninh Binh’s second new signing after Chau Ngoc Quang from HAGL. The 1996-born midfielder also signed a three-year contract with a signing bonus of 12 billion VND. The V-League newcomers have also signed Tran Bao Toan and Dung Quang Nho from HAGL and appointed Spanish coach Gerard Albadalejo.

Hieu Luong