17-year-old Vietnamese prodigy signs professional contract with Belgian team

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Royal Antwerp, currently ranked 7th in the Belgian national championship, has announced a one-year contract with Vietnamese-born prodigy Pham Anh Khoi.

"He will play for the Royal Antwerp (RAFC) youth team. Pham Anh Khoi is of Belgian-Vietnamese descent and previously played for the RAFC U11 team," the Royal Antwerp youth team's executive director confirmed the signing of the young Vietnamese-born talent Pham Anh Khoi on the club's website.

Pham Anh Khoi signs a one-year professional contract with the Royal Antwerp youth team (Photo: X).

Accordingly, Pham Anh Khoi will play as a central striker for Young Reds, Antwerp's U23 team, in the 2025/26 season, marking a significant turning point in his football career.

Pham Anh Khoi was born and raised in Belgium, but his entire family retains Vietnamese citizenship. He joined the Royal Antwerp youth academy at the U11 level and spent many years training in a top-level football environment in Belgium.

Being offered his first professional contract at the age of 17 shows the recognition from the team currently ranked 7th in the Jupiler Pro League (the top football league in Belgium) of Anh Khoi's talent and potential.

"Khoi is a creative forward who can play in many different positions. His speed, finesse, and dribbling skills can help RAFC U23 decide matches," added youth team executive director Jean Kindermans.

Royal Antwerp has won the Belgian league title five times and the Belgian Cup four times, including a double in the 2022/23 season. In European competitions, the team reached the final of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1992/93.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/than-dong-goc-viet-17-tuoi-ky-hop-dong-chuyen-nghiep-with-doi-bong-cua-bi-20250820142412556.htm