According to his agent, Nguyen Dac Van, it was done at the club's headquarter in Pyrénées-Atlantiques Province about 800 km from Paris.

Nguyen Quang Hai (L) with coach Didier Tholot after becoming a player of Pau FC on June 29, 2022.

The 25-year-old star met the basic medical parameters related to muscle, heart rate, leg strength, speed, and endurance.

Hai's two-year contract, with the option of extension for another year, came into effect then, making him the first Vietnamese player to play for a professional club in France.

He wrote on social media: "The first important part has been completed. I have officially become a member of Pau FC from this moment. I'm very happy and proud."

Pau are a small club with a stadium with a capacity of over 4,000. They also had the lowest payroll in the second division Ligue 2 at a total of €2.93 million (US$3 million) last season.

But Hai is happy with his choice since he feels appreciated by the club and is likely to get a lot of playing time.

Club vice president Joel Lopez said Pau are confident of developing rookies like Hai, and has promised to let the midfielder go to bigger teams if they receive a reasonable offer.

In six seasons at Hanoi FC, Hai played 126 matches, scored 35 times and won every domestic title and the Vietnam Golden Ball in 2018.

Hanoi offered Hai a new contract, but he remained steadfast about wanting to play abroad.

He also played an important role in Vietnam winning the 2018 AFC U23 Championship's second place, the 2018 AFF Cup title and SEA Games 30 gold medal, and in Vietnam's journey to the final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Striker Nguyen Tien Linh stands side by side with world football stars on FIFA’s special poster

It comes as a great honour for Vietnamese striker Nguyen Tien Linh that the 24-year-old stands side by side with outstanding players of world football on a special poster recently posted by FIFA on its Facebook page.

Vietnamese football star to join FIFA global campaign

Nguyen Quang Hai is the only Vietnamese player to feature in the latest global campaign of FIFA named #ReachOut.

SEA Games: Vietnam beat Thailand 1-0 to successfully defend men’s football gold

Vietnam narrowly defeated Thailand 1-0 in the final match at Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium on the evening of May 22 to take the gold medal in the 31st SEA Games men’s football event.

Vietnam beat Thailand to defend SEA Games women’s football title

Forward Huynh Nhu was on target as Vietnam surged past Thailand 1-0 in the final match of the 31st SEA Games women’s football event on the evening of May 21 to successfully defend their SEA Games gold medal.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam footballers determined to bring joy to fans

"Vietnam’s U23 footballers are under great pressure, but I’m certain we’ll make the fans happy at SEA Games 31", head coach Park Hang-seo said on May 5.

Source: VnExpress