European import leaves Thanh Hoa with staggering statistics

Amar Catic departs Dong A Thanh Hoa after five months, having not logged any playing time in the 2025/26 V.League.

Amar Catic has officially parted ways with Dong A Thanh Hoa. After only about five months, he ends a forgettable period with zero statistics. Although expected to boost the attack of the Thanh Hoa side in the second half of the V.League 2025/26, the player holding dual Dutch and Bosnian citizenship did not appear in any official minutes before his exit.

In round 24 of the V.League, Thanh Hoa registered just one foreign player, Odilzhon Alisherovich, for the match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. The home team's thin foreign contingent caught many off guard, especially as the club is navigating a tough stretch in both form and squad depth.

According to multiple sources, Amar Catic reached a contract termination agreement with the Thanh Hoa club. The stated reason is that the 1999-born player wished to return home to attend to family matters. However, Thanh Hoa was not overly keen on retaining this foreigner, as he had shown little in terms of professional performance and made no tangible contribution to the team.

Before joining Thanh Hoa, Amar Catic was once regarded as a notable signing due to his background from renowned Dutch football academies such as PSV Eindhoven and Willem II Tilburg. Playing as a right winger with an attacking mindset, he was expected to bring speed and game-changing ability to the team's frontline. Yet things quickly turned into disappointment as this player completely "disappeared" from the day he inked the contract.

Not only Amar Catic, but Thanh Hoa's foreign player situation this season also faces numerous issues. Another foreigner, Belli Matias, despite making five appearances, frequently had to leave the pitch early due to fitness concerns. Earlier, Rimario Gordon also voluntarily left the club, leaving Thanh Hoa repeatedly short of foreign players during a critical phase.

Amid a depleted squad, coach Mai Xuan Hop has little choice but to rely on Odilzhon Alisherovich, who plays a crucial role in the attack. After 24 rounds, Dong A Thanh Hoa sits 10th in the standings with 25 points and is virtually safe from relegation. In the final round, the Thanh Hoa side will face SHB Da Nang in a match that carries significant weight for the opponent's survival fight.