Spending over 332 billion VND on shopping, V-League shockingly surpasses Malaysian naturalized stars

According to transfer statistics site Transfermarkt, as of August 18, clubs in Vietnam's V-League 1 have spent a huge amount on shopping for the 2025-2026 season with about 332 billion VND, a total of 83 foreign players (an increase of 18.1%), ranking 3rd in the region.

V-League surpasses Malaysian naturalized stars Super League thanks to Nam Dinh Club effect

A total of 14 clubs in the V-League 1 2025-2026 season are valued at up to 53.74 million euros (about 1,650 billion VND). Of this, the value of the tournament has increased to 10.81 million euros (about 332 billion VND) since December 2024, when clubs spent money on foreign players to strengthen their strength.

Nam Dinh is the most valuable club in V-League and ranked 3rd in Southeast Asia.

Photo: Minh Hoang

As a result, the V-League surpassed the Malaysia Super League to become the third most valuable tournament in Southeast Asia. Thailand's Thai League 1 still ranked first with a total value of 76.84 million euros (about 2,360 billion VND). Ranked second is the Indonesian Super League with a total value of 71.84 million euros (about 2,206 billion VND), partly because this tournament has 18 clubs. Meanwhile, the V-League has 14 clubs and the Thai League 1 has 16 clubs. The Malaysia Super League has 13 clubs.

However, among the top national championships in Southeast Asia, V-League is the league with the strongest increase in value, up to 10.81 million euros. Meanwhile, Thai League 1 only increased 1.36 million euros (about 41.7 billion VND) in spending on players in the new season.

The Indonesian Super League has spent heavily after allowing clubs to buy up to 11 foreign players in the 2025-2026 season and field a maximum of 7 players. In total, clubs in the archipelago have spent 4.20 million euros (about 129 billion VND) to buy foreign players, most of whom are from Brazil (up to 61 players).

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Super League also allowed foreign players to be bought in large quantities (foreign player quota up to 15 people). However, compared to December 2024, this tournament has decreased in value by 2.25 million euros (about 69.1 billion VND) compared to the previous season, with a total remaining value of 51.02 million euros (about 1,567 billion VND). Thereby, it was officially usurped by the V-League.

Transfermark officially confirmed that player Percy Tau joining Nam Dinh Club is the player with the highest transfer value in V-League, 1 million euros.

Photo: Transfermarkt screenshot

The reason is that most clubs in Malaysia do not have enough financial resources to buy foreign players even though they are allowed to, only focusing on 2 clubs, Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor. Of which, Johor Darul Ta'zim this season focused on recruiting players for free or with undisclosed fees for the Malaysian naturalized players they have brought in, and strengthened the national team in recent times.

According to Transfermarkt statistics, this season's V-League has seen a big change in the quality of foreign players, including a player valued at a "huge" 1 million euros (about 30.7 billion VND), striker Percy Tau (31 years old, South African) who has just joined Nam Dinh Club. This is the player with the highest transfer value in the V-League.

Percy Tau played in the Premier League for top club Brighton (from 2018 to 2021), then clubs in Belgium and recently joined Al Ahly in Egypt and Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League.

Top valuable national championships in Southeast Asia in the 2025 - 2026 season, with V-League ranked 3rd and Nam Dinh Club also the 3rd most valuable team in the region.

Photo: ASEAN FOOTBALL screenshot

The average age of V-League players is also around 26 years old, there are a total of 83 foreign players (an increase of 18.1%) and the average market value is around 117,000 euros (about 3.5 billion VND)/player.

The Thai League has an average age of 27.5 years old, with 153 foreign players (up 29.4%). The Indonesia Super League has an average age of 26.2 years old and has 165 foreign players (up 28%). Meanwhile, the Malaysia Super League has an average age of 27.7 years old and 123 foreign players (up 33.3%), according to Transfermarkt .

In V-League, the most highly valued club is Nam Dinh, with a total value of up to 9.21 million euros (about 282.9 billion VND), only behind the two leading clubs in Southeast Asia, Buriram United (Thailand) with a value of up to 15.25 million euros (about 468 billion VND) and Johor Darul Ta'zim with 14.10 million euros (about 433 billion VND).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chi-hon-332-ti-dong-mua-sam-v-league-gay-soc-vuot-mat-dan-sao-nhap-tich-malaysia-185250819102954553.htm