OFFICIAL: V.League Newcomer Signs 'Brazilian van Dijk'

Bac Ninh caught the eye by acquiring Rafael Santos, a Brazilian center-half evoking memories of Virgil van Dijk, who was trained at Flamengo and played in European leagues.

Bac Ninh Club officially announced Rafael Santos de Sousa as a new signing for the 2026/27 V.League season. According to the team, the Brazilian center-back was born on February 2, 1998 in Guarujá, stands 1.88 m tall, is left-footed, and is playing in Vietnam for the first time. The club's statement reads: "Bac Ninh Club officially welcomes the Brazilian center-back - Rafael Santos de Sousa."

The debut image immediately drew attention because Rafael's tall stature, bun hairstyle, and facial features evoke Virgil van Dijk. However, the value of the deal lies not only in the visual effect. Bac Ninh is adding a left-sided center-back with experience in duels, organizing defense, and building play from the back.

Rafael developed at Flamengo and was promoted to the first team in 2019. Before the Copa Libertadores that year, he was unexpectedly registered with shirt number 15, becoming the fifth choice at center-back behind Rodrigo Caio, Rhodolfo, Léo Duarte, and Matheus Thuler. Interestingly, the player who is compared to Van Dijk once considered Sergio Ramos his role model.

Rafael's journey to professionalism was not smooth. As a young player, he underwent surgery on his left knee and treatment for toxoplasmosis in his eye. Rafael said: "I was almost blind in one eye. At that time, I only thought about recovery, but thank God, I recovered." The story shows the resilience of a player who faced the risk of losing his career before stepping onto the big stage.

After Flamengo, Rafael moved to Europe to play for APOEL in Cyprus, then successively played for Moreirense, Santa Clara, and Leixões in Portugal. The Liga Portugal records show that he was part of teams that won the Portuguese second division in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. This is a notable foundation for a foreign player about to enter the V.League environment.

In the 2025/26 season, Rafael made 18 appearances for Leixões in Liga Portugal competitions, boasting impressive stats such as a 69% duel win rate and 48 ball recoveries. The numbers reflect that he is a center-back who prefers physical contact, zone protection, and maintaining team structure rather than regularly making offensive contributions.

The contract arrives just as Bac Ninh is undergoing a strong rebuild after winning promotion to the V.League 2026/27 by defeating PVF-CAND in the play-off match. The Kinh Bac team has parted ways with 13 players, including many defensive players, making Rafael become a priority piece for the backline, rather than just a publicity stunt.

From a player once registered for the Libertadores to a foreigner for a V.League newcomer, Rafael is opening the most different chapter of his career. The appearance reminiscent of Van Dijk helps him make an initial impression, but his ability to adapt to the speed and intensity of physical contact in Vietnam will determine the mark of the Brazilian center-back at Bac Ninh.