HCMC FC scores Brazilian league forward

A versatile offensive player, better known as Waguininho, the 30-year-old can play well as a center forward, right-winger and attacking midfielder. He will be the replacement for Costa Rican striker Ariel Rodriguez, who left HCMC in November after an unsuccessful spell with the club.

Although at an average height for a striker (1.78 m), Waguininho possesses a high level of skill and creativity. German sports site Transfermarkt recently valued him at $424,000.

He used to play for South Korean club Bucheon FC 1995 from 2016 to 2017, scoring 17 goals in 55 games before moving to K. League 1 to play for Suwon Samsung Bluewings a year later. In 2019, he won the Korean FA Cup with Suwon. After, he moved to Guarani in Serié B, the second division of Brazil.

This will be the first signing of HCMC under Brazilian coach Alexandre Polking, who became manager of the club in November. The club finished fifth in V. League 1 this year and has been making personnel changes to prepare for the next season.

With Waguininho, Costa Rican winger Jose Ortiz and Senegalese defender Papé Diakité, HCMC have reached the maximum number of foreign players allowed in their squad.

Readjusting for next season, the club parted ways with 11 players, including Rodriguez and South Korean midfielder Seo Yong-duk, and South Korean coach Chung Hae-soung. In return, they signed seven new faces and recruited coach Polking.

In another transfer, Nigerian midfielder Kester Kelly moved from Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) to Hong Linh Ha Tinh. This is the second foreign player to leave HAGL during this transfer window, after Jamaican striker Chavaugh Walsh had moved to Thanh Hoa FC.

The new V. League 1 season will commence on January 16.