Vietnamese prodigy nearly 2 meters tall moves to Thailand to play professionally

Vietnamese-American center-back Kenny Phi Hoàng Chandler has officially signed with Ubon Kruanapat FC in Thai League 3, beginning a fresh journey following multiple attempts at Vietnamese clubs without a contract.

Center-back Vietnamese-American Kenny Phi Hoàng Chandler has just officially joined Ubon Kruanapat FC, a team competing in Thai League 3, signifying a pivotal moment in the professional pursuit of the player born in 2002. After years of trying out at various Vietnamese clubs without landing a contract, moving to Thailand is seen as a practical choice, offering hope for Kenny to gradually prove his abilities in a more competitive football environment.

Kenny Phi Hoàng Chandler holds American nationality with a Vietnamese mother and has an ideal physique for a center-back, standing at 1.92 meters tall. This height advantage makes him stand out in aerial duels, one-on-one challenges, and defensive support during high balls. As many Southeast Asian teams increasingly emphasize physicality and strength, Kenny is considered a promising center-back with potential for growth if placed in the right environment.

The most notable aspect of Kenny’s profile lies in his youth training background. This Vietnamese-American player developed at the Barcelona Academy in Virginia, USA — a program that adopts training methods and coaching philosophies based on FC Barcelona’s model. Although not La Masia in Spain, having access to a “Barcelona-branded” training system helped Kenny build a technical foundation, football intelligence, and the ability to initiate plays from the back, which is uncommon among many young center-backs.

In 2019, Kenny Phi Hoàng Chandler returned to Vietnam to pursue professional playing opportunities. He trained for nearly two months with HAGL, a club renowned for youth development, but ultimately did not secure an official contract. Nevertheless, this period helped Kenny familiarize himself with the Vietnamese football environment, including match tempo and tactical demands in the V-League.

After HAGL, the Vietnamese-American center-back’s journey faced more challenges. Kenny trialed at Hong Linh Ha Tinh, participated in some friendly matches, including the 2022 Central Vietnam Four-Team Cup. There, he was tested both as a center-back and full-back, showing some versatility. However, he was unable to convince the coaching staff to retain him. In the following years, he continued seeking opportunities at Ba Ria Vung Tau (2023) and Phu Dong Ninh Binh (2024) but without success.

Eventually, Kenny Phi Hoàng Chandler decided to shift his career path to Thai League 3 by joining Ubon Kruanapat FC. Although it is a third-tier league, Thai football is highly regarded for its professionalism and clear competition structure. This could serve as a suitable platform for the Vietnamese-American center-back to gain experience, enhance his skills, and open doors to greater opportunities in the future. For Kenny, the road ahead remains challenging, but his choice to move to Thailand shows persistence and a strong desire to pursue a professional football career to the fullest.