SLNA signs Felipe Martins: 'Taking advantage of a small opportunity'?

Currently, the former HAGL player is in Vinh training with Phan Van Duc and his teammates. If he meets the requirements of the SLNA coaching staff, Felipe Martins will be registered by the Nghe An team to play for the remainder of this season.

Felipe Martins is about to become a SLNA player. Photo: VPF

Before joining SLNA, Felipe Martins had an unsuccessful trial at Hai Phong and spent half of the 2019 season playing for HAGL. At Chairman Duc's team, the Brazilian striker played in 10 matches and only scored a meager 3 goals. A rather modest achievement.

Objectively speaking, Felipe Martins' playing style isn't particularly outstanding. From individual technique to his ability to make runs and finish, everything is just average. This is also the main reason why the player born in 1990 wasn't offered a contract extension by the Pleiku-based club.

Will Ho Tuan Tai have a new partner in attack? Photo: Thuy Dung

Recently, Felipe Martins has approached many teams, not only in Vietnam, but has always been met with rejection. It's safe to say that being offered a permanent contract by SLNA is like finding a bed of opportunity for Felipe Martins.

In the current situation (due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic), SLNA has to resort to the "old guard, new recruits" approach when looking for foreign players, meaning they are contacting unemployed foreign players in Vietnam, and Felipe Martins is one such case.

Nevertheless, Felipe Martins is considered superior to Alagie Sosseh, the striker who recently left SLNA. Firstly, Felipe Martins' professional skills have been proven while playing for HAGL. Secondly, the Brazilian player is no stranger to the V.League environment.

It seems that, "because we need each other," the contract between SLNA and Felipe Martins will be finalized and announced in the near future.

Thanh Hung