Dutch-Vietnamese talent determined to shine in Vietnam

Dutch-Vietnamese footballer Thomas Mai Veeren is not considering a move back to Europe at the moment. He continues to train hard in Hai Phong and remains dedicated to his ambition of competing in the V-League.

Thomas Mai Veeren (Vietnamese name: Mai Cong Thanh) was born in 2008, making him just 17 years old this year. He carries both Vietnamese and Dutch heritage. Thomas gained recognition among experts and local fans when coach Cristiano Roland called him up to the U17 Vietnam squad for the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup. However, due to limited time to adapt to the playing style and football environment in Vietnam, he was not included in the final tournament roster.

He drew attention during pre-season preparations by joining Hai Phong to train with the club. At that time, Thomas showed a strong commitment to staying involved with Vietnamese football, even willing to wait for opportunities despite not having an official contract yet. After the first round of the 2025/26 V-League, he continued to train in Hai Phong, demonstrating a level of patience uncommon among players in similar situations.

Thomas Mai Veeren possesses smooth technical skills and a modern playing style. He is versatile in midfield, capable of both supporting defense and initiating attacks. As the V-League increasingly values strength, speed, and tactical discipline, Thomas is viewed as a player well-suited to current trends.

According to regulations, V-League clubs can register new players until the end of round 3. This is the "window of opportunity" for Thomas to impress coaching staff, especially at Hai Phong, where he is currently training and could potentially sign. The club is known for its passionate spirit and desire to rejuvenate the squad, so adding a young, adaptable, and dedicated player like Thomas makes perfect sense.

His journey is more challenging than other overseas Vietnamese players, as he must wait and prove himself through perseverance. Nevertheless, if he seizes the opportunity, Thomas could become one of the notable overseas Vietnamese faces in the V-League, similar to Kevin Pham Ba, Brandon Ly, or Chung Nguyen Do.

His decision to stay rather than leave reflects his ambition to succeed, while also bringing an inspiring story of overseas Vietnamese players striving to make their mark at home to the V-League.

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Who is Thomas Mai Veeren? The Dutch-Vietnamese footballer stands 1.84m tall and scored 9 goals in 8 matches for U17 Vietnam. Thomas Mai Veeren, the Dutch-Vietnamese player, has arrived in Hanoi to join the U17 Vietnam team in preparation for the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup finals. Read more