Not stopping with domestic players, Thanh Hóa continues to lose key foreign players

Central defender Mamadou Mbodj has officially departed Đông Á Thanh Hóa to sign with Irtysh Pavlodar on a contract valid through the end of 2026.

The second phase of the 2025/2026 V-League has seen significant changes at Đông Á Thanh Hóa, especially in terms of personnel. Amid a wave of departures caused by financial difficulties, central defender Mamadou Mbodj stands out as he officially left the Thanh Hóa club and quickly secured a new team abroad.

Accordingly, the Senegalese player joined Irtysh Pavlodar (Kazakhstan) with a contract running until the end of 2026. This move is considered the next step in the international career of the defender born in 1993, following his time playing in Vietnam.

Wearing the Thanh Hóa jersey in the 2025/2026 season, Mamadou Mbodj appeared in 9 V-League matches and scored 3 goals, an impressive tally for a central defender. Additionally, he participated in 1 National Cup match. Beyond fulfilling defensive duties, Mbodj demonstrated effective attacking support during set-piece situations.

In fact, Kazakhstan is not an unfamiliar destination for Mbodj. Previously, he played for Ordabasy Shymkent in that country. Afterwards, the Senegalese defender moved to Hapoel Hadera (Israel) before arriving at Thanh Hóa, where he made a notable impact in the V-League.

Mbodj’s departure is part of the Thanh Hóa club’s squad restructuring. Since the end of 2025, the club has continuously parted ways with many players, including both domestic and foreign athletes. Most recently, two young talents, Trần Quang Vinh and Lê Đức Phát, were transferred to Ninh Bình FC.

These moves indicate that Thanh Hóa is prioritizing short-term financial solutions while accepting significant changes in its personnel. While the Thanh Hóa team faces a challenging period,Mamadou Mbodj opens a new chapter in his career by returning to Kazakhstan’s football environment, hoping to further prove his value.