Vietnam's international Nguyen Quang Hai (left) poses with his new coach Didier Tholot and jersey, after signing a two-year contract with French side Pau FC on June 26. (Photo of Pau FC) The midfielder has passed a medical and signed a two-yeardeal that has an option to extend his stay in southwestern France for anotheryear.
He has been handed his favourite No 19 jersey, which he wore forboth former side Hanoi FC and the national team.
“I have had medical tests at Pau Football Club. Everything isgood. I have reached all requirements of health," Hai posted on hisFacebook on June 29.
"The first important step is done. I am an official player ofPau FC from this moment. I am happy and proud.
"Thank you all, parents, family, supporters, media and allpeople who have been accompanying me on my journey. Let's fight!" he wrote.
On the club facebook fanpage, Pau FC posted: "Nguyen Quang Haiis here! Vietnam's international offensive midfielder (45 selections)joins Pau FC for the next two seasons. He will wear Pau FC's No19. Welcome, Quang Hai!"
A short video introducing the Vietnamese player is also availableon the page.
The 25-year-old, who also received offers from clubs inThailand, Japan, Spain and other countries, will have about a month tomake himself familiar with his new environment and earn a place in the starting11.
Pau FC's Coach Didier Tholot praised Hai'sabilities but has not revealed where he will utilise them in the favoured 4-4-2formation of the club.
Pau FC returned to training on June 24. Hai will join his newteammates in Saint-Paul-les-Dax on July 3, ahead of pre-season matchesagainst Ligue 2 champions Toulouse on July 8, Angouleme on July 15and Niort on July 23.
They will then have a week's rest before beginning their Ligue 2season on July 30 away to Guingamp.
Pau FC were established in 1904. Last season they finished 10thout of 20 clubs in Ligue 2.
Showing Quang Hai's popularity among Vietnamese football fanatics,Pau FC's Facebook page received hundreds of thousands of likes and commentssince the news broke that he would be joining the side.
At 11.30am on June 29, the club has had more than 155,600 likesand 201,000 followers, nearly 10 times the numbers of the week before.
Ligue 1, France's premier league, also posted a picture of Hai inPau's jersey along with Vietnam's national flag on their fan page, which hasalmost 7.5 million followers. They welcomed Hai in both English and Vietnamese.
While the Ligue 1 page usually posts transfer news from their ownleague, this is the first time such a deal from Ligue 2 has been highlighted.
Hai is the eighth Vietnamese player to play abroad. While Vietnamhas been represented in China, Portugal, Japan, the Republic of Korea andthe Netherlands, most of these overseas ventures proved unsuccessfully.Quang Hai will be hoping to buck that trend over the coming years./.
VNA
