Vietnamese goalkeeper of overseas descent speaks sincerely upon officially obtaining Vietnamese citizenship

After a long wait, goalkeeper Lê Giang Patrik has finally been granted Vietnamese citizenship, representing an important landmark in both his career and personal life.

After years of dedication and persistence, goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang’s greatest dream has now come true. On January 28th, the decision permitting him to acquire Vietnamese nationality was issued, marking a special milestone not only for the player born in 1992 but also for the Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club and Vietnamese football.

From this moment on, the goalkeeper of mixed Vietnamese-Slovak heritage officially carries the name Lê Giang Patrik as a citizen of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Born in Slovakia to a Vietnamese father and Slovak mother, his journey back to his ancestral homeland is not just a football story but also a choice rooted in identity and family affection.

Sharing his feelings upon receiving the good news, the 34-year-old goalkeeper couldn’t hide his emotion. He said: “I feel very honored, happy, and proud to learn that I have become a Vietnamese citizen. My family has been a great support for me, especially when I decided to return to Vietnam to play football and aimed to become a Vietnamese citizen. So, as soon as I got the news, I immediately informed my family, especially my father. Everyone was very joyful and proud of this.”.

For Lê Giang Patrik, family is the bond that connects him to Vietnam and the motivation behind his important decisions in both career and life. The goalkeeper of Ho Chi Minh City Police FC also expressed gratitude to the groups and individuals who supported him throughout the citizenship process: “I would like to thank the Board of Directors of Ho Chi Minh City Police, the club’s leadership, and the relevant authorities for their assistance and support in helping me fulfill this great wish. I will continue to work hard and seriously to repay everyone’s trust.”.

In fact, since returning to Vietnam to play in 2023, Lê Giang Patrik has openly expressed his desire to become a Vietnamese citizen. However, it was only after joining Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club that this journey reached a complete conclusion. This step is also part of the club’s strategic plan to improve professional quality and pursue long-term goals.

The official website of Ho Chi Minh City Police FC affirmed that the completion of the citizenship procedure for Lê Giang Patrik was based on a comprehensive evaluation of his professional skills, international playing experience, and consistent performance in recent professional seasons. Beyond its personnel significance for the club, this successful naturalization opens opportunities for Lê Giang Patrik to compete for the goalkeeper position in the Vietnamese national team in the future.