Brazilian attacking star arrives in V-League, partners with Xuan Son

Nam Dinh FC officially introduced their latest acquisition, Ezequiel Santos, a Brazilian forward with experience in the J-League.

On the afternoon of July 22, Thép Xanh Nam Dinh FC officially unveiled their new signing, Brazilian attacking midfielder Ezequiel Santos. Born on March 9, 1998, he becomes the latest addition to the Nam Dinh squad during the summer 2026 transfer window. On their official website, the reigning V.League champions extended a brief welcome: "Welcome Ezequiel Santos to the Thép Xanh Nam Dinh family!"

Standing at 1.67 meters and right-footed, Ezequiel Santos can operate in multiple forward positions. The 28-year-old specializes in playing on either wing or as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. He is highly regarded for his technical dribbling, close ball control, creative mindset, and good vision in organizing attacks.

Before moving to Asia, Santos spent years playing professional football in his native Brazil. He has featured for traditional clubs such as Botafogo, Cruzeiro, and Sport Recife. Competing in Brazil's high-level environment helped Santos refine his individual skills, dueling ability, and experience in handling high-intensity matches.

The most notable highlight of Santos' career came during his stint with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan from 2020 to 2024. With the J.League 1 side, the Brazilian midfielder made 86 appearances and scored 9 goals. Having played in a system that emphasizes discipline, speed, and pressing is considered a major advantage for Santos as he transitions to the V-League.

Santos' arrival is expected to provide coach Vu Hong Viet with more options for ball progression. Thép Xanh Nam Dinh currently boasts a deep attacking line with several quality foreign players, but still needs a player capable of creating breakthroughs from the second line. Santos can take on the role of carrying the ball, connecting attacking outlets, or directly penetrating the box when needed.

Nam Dinh fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of their new signing from the land of Samba. His ability to adapt to the climate, living environment, and playing style in Vietnam will greatly influence his success. However, with experience gained in Brazil and Japan, he is expected to quickly integrate and become a key factor in the team's goal of competing for the top spots and aiming for the championship of the Nam Dinh club.