Star goalkeeper signs with V. League club, ends spell in Japan

Lam has completed all procedures and signed a three-year deal with Binh Dinh, making him one of the highest paid players in the club.

"I was looking for opportunities and challenges when I played in Thailand and Japan. But right now, I want to spend more time with my family so I returned to Vietnam. I'm happy to play for Binh Dinh in the next three years," Lam said.

An introduction ceremony will be hosted for Lam on Friday, one day before his first game for Binh Dinh in the 13th round of V. League against Thanh Hoa FC.

Before playing in Japan, Lam had joined Thai club Muangthong United in 2019 and enjoyed 42 appearances for the side over two seasons. In 2021, he joined Osaka on a one-year deal.

Lam is half Vietnamese and half Russian. He spent his youth at Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. In 2011, he returned to Vietnam to play for Hoang Anh Gia Lai. After unsuccessful spells in Laos and Russia, his career finally took off when he joined Hai Phong FC in 2015. In the next four years, he retained his excellent form, got called up to the national team and became their number one choice.

Binh Dinh are one of the most active clubs in the V. League transfer window this season, as they recruited 13 new players with the ambition to win the league title. After 11 games, the club are in seventh among 17 teams, nine points from the top spot.