Thanh Hóa suffers another loss of talent as 2 young prospects move to Ninh Bình

Đông Á Thanh Hóa continues to sell two promising youngsters, Trần Quang Vinh and Lê Đức Phát, to Ninh Bình FC, increasing the total count of players transferred to the historic club to six during a financially challenging period.

After the 2026 Bính Ngọ Lunar New Year break, Thanh Hóa football witnessed further major changes in its squad as Đông Á Thanh Hóa officially parted ways with two young talents, Trần Quang Vinh and Lê Đức Phát. The duo, products of the club’s youth academy, have been confirmed to join Ninh Bình FC, raising the total number of transfers between the two teams recently to six.

This transfer is seen as the next step in Thanh Hóa's squad restructuring process aimed at addressing financial challenges. Since late 2025, the Thanh Hóa club has continuously sold or loaned out players developed within their own system. It is estimated that the total value of these six deals has brought the club billions of dong, a crucial resource amid the team's ongoing financial struggles.

Born in 2005, Trần Quang Vinh is regarded as one of Thanh Hóa’s most promising young strikers. Wearing the U21 jersey, he impressed with his positioning, aggressive pressing, and energetic playing style. Joining Ninh Bình, this young forward is expected to add speed and explosiveness to the team’s attack, while also opening up long-term development opportunities.

Similarly, his teammate Lê Đức Phát is another outstanding product of Thanh Hóa’s youth system. He possesses a solid technical foundation, plays disciplined football, and shows a strong willingness to improve. Đức Phát’s arrival strengthens Ninh Bình’s squad depth and supports the club’s ongoing youth-focused strategy.

Notably, at their new club, Quang Vinh and Đức Phát will reunite with several fellow Thanh Hóa natives such as Nguyễn Thái Sơn, Lê Văn Thuận, and Hoàng Thái Bình, who had previously moved to Ninh Bình. This forms a significant “Thanh Hóa cluster” within the Ninh Bình lineup, reflecting the close transfer ties between the two clubs recently.

Meanwhile, on the Thanh Hóa side, the team still faces immense pressure as its squad is severely depleted. The club currently has only about 17 players eligible for registration and is under a ban on signing new players due to financial disputes involving foreign players. In this context, the departure of two more young players highlights how survival has become the top priority over sporting goals for the Thanh Hóa team.