Official: Hoang Ca returns to the old roof of Hanoi Buffalo

Nearly half a decade since breaking up with Hanoi Buffaloes to Canto Catfish, Nguyen Phu Hoang will re -appear in the shirt of the Capital Buffalo - the first team in his VBA career.

Phu Hoang played for Hanoi Buffalo for two years in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Led by coach Todd Purves, the Hanoi-born full-back took on the role of sixth man and earned the title of best reserve player in his first VBA season.

However, the inability to compete with Vincent Nguyen for the official position, coupled with links with coaches Kevin Yurkus and brothers Tam Dink-Sang Dinh, led Hoang Ca to leave. Buffaloes traded him to Cantho Catfish to bring back the first round in that year's draft.

His career has been notably elevated in two seasons at Tay Do, helping the Catfish reach two consecutive VBA finals, including a 3-0 win over the title of old club Hanoi Buffalo in 2018. Here, he reached the top with the title of best internal soldier.

Phu Hoang moved to the other side of his career after moving to the Rising Dragon Warriors. Despite playing for a third straight final, the 1989-born player is not respected in coach Predrague Lukic's system. He moved to the Nha Trang Dolphins during the 2021 season but had to leave the Bubbles most of the time for personal reasons.

With VBA 2022 returning to the home-away format, moving to teams in the capital was Phu Hoang's top priority, having shared at the time that he wanted to play near his family. The 33-year-old moved to Hanoi Buffalo on a free transfer, promising to contribute experience to the younger team of the Capital Buffalo.

Back at his old club, Hoang Ca not only reunited with Dinh Tien Cong or Nguyen Tien Duong, who had played under coach Todd Purves, but also wore the same jersey as Tam Dinh again. Both brought Cantho Catfish to the throne of VBA in the 2018 season.