The top scorer of the First Division surprisingly joined a team that was just relegated from the V.League.

After being relegated, PVF-CAND managed to sign Thaileon de Santana Santos, the leading goal scorer of the 2025/26 First Division.

Following a season that did not meet expectations and having to bid farewell to the V.League, PVF-CAND is urgently rebuilding its squad with the goal of earning promotion as early as next season. The Hưng Yên-based club has just made an impression on the transfer market by reaching an agreement with Brazilian striker Thaileon de Santana Santos – the forward who recently claimed the Golden Boot of the 2025/26 National First Division.

This information was confirmed by Thaileon's agent, Fabio Leandro Barbosa, on his personal page on the evening of June 30 with a status update: "Thaileon Santana, top scorer of V.League 2, has signed a contract with PVF-CAND." Although the club has not officially announced the deal, the agent's action indicates that the transfer is almost complete, opening a new chapter in the career of the 2001-born striker in Vietnamese football.

Thaileon just had a breakout season with Quy Nhơn United, scoring 14 goals and becoming the top scorer in the First Division. However, the Brazilian striker's outstanding performance was not enough to help the team from the land of Võ secure promotion. Quy Nhơn United finished only in fourth place with 35 points, missing out on a spot in the playoff for a ticket to the V.League.

On PVF-CAND's side, signing the First Division top scorer is seen as a strategic move after the team lost to Bắc Ninh in the playoff and had to return to the lower tier after just one season in the V.League. Thaileon's arrival is expected to significantly boost the attacking strength, while also demonstrating the determination to return to the highest division of Vietnamese football as soon as possible.

According to regulations, clubs competing in the First Division can only register one foreign player. Meanwhile, PVF-CAND currently still has four foreign players: Alastair Reynolds, Mahmoud Eid, Joseph Mpande, and Lucas Turci. This means the team will likely have to part ways with all or most of their current foreign players to make room for Thaileon. With an ideal physique, speed, strength, and proven goal-scoring instincts, the Brazilian striker is expected to become the main factor helping PVF-CAND realize their goal of returning to the V.League at the earliest opportunity.