CLB CAHN retains Leo Artur, strengthening their squad for the 2026/27 season

Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) maintains its efforts to solidify the team's core by renewing the contract of Leo Artur through the 2027/28 campaign. The Brazilian standout remains a crucial piece in the club's ambitions for the V-League and AFC Champions League Elite.

CAHN has officially completed a contract extension agreement with Leo Artur. Under the new deal, the number 10 player will continue to be with the capital club until the end of the 2027/28 season. Earlier, the club also confirmed that Leo Artur will stay until 2028.

Leo Artur joined CAHN from Binh Dinh in the summer of 2024 and quickly became one of the most influential figures up front. His ability to play wide, create breakthroughs with individual skill, and contribute to assists makes the Brazilian a perfect fit for head coach Alexandre Polking's attacking setup.

In the 2025/26 V-League season, Leo Artur scored 10 goals and was among the standout performers for the champions. Alongside Alan Grafite, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Nguyen Quang Hai, he formed a versatile attacking line with multiple ways to threaten the opponent's goal.

Extending Leo Artur's contract is part of CAHN's plan to maintain a stable core ahead of a season with a high match density. Previously, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip signed a new deal until 2029, while midfielder Stefan Mauk committed through 2028. CAHN also retained Nguyen Dinh Bac, one of the most important domestic players in Polking's squad.

Alongside retaining key players, the 2025/26 V-League champions have been very active in the transfer market. CAHN has brought in forwards David Henen and Brayan Perea, midfielder Damià Sabater, goalkeeper Y Eli Nie, and forwards Dinh Thanh Binh and Phan Ngoc Tin. Notably, Iraqi international center-back Frans Putros, who just played in the 2026 World Cup, has also joined the club.

CAHN's defense has also been bolstered by Kevin Pham Ba. The overseas Vietnamese full-back, developed through Sochaux's academy, can play multiple positions on the right flank, giving coach Polking more options.

On the other side, CAHN has parted ways with several players. Center-back Hugo Gomes moved to Lion City Sailors after two seasons with the capital club, while Phan Van Duc joined Ho Chi Minh City Police FC. Overseas Vietnamese player Brandon Ly also left CAHN to move to Phu Tho.

The new depth of CAHN's squad was partially demonstrated in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off round.

On August 11, despite being away and missing Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Le Pham Thanh Long, Le Van Do, and Doan Van Hau due to national team duty with Vietnam at the 2026 ASEAN Cup, CAHN still beat Adelaide United 2-0 to qualify for the group stage of Asia's top club competition. David Henen and Brayan Perea, the season's two new signings, were the scorers.

As of August 18, the six aforementioned internationals have yet to return to CAHN, as the Vietnam national team is preparing for the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-final against Malaysia on the evening of August 19. Therefore, having a deep squad has become increasingly important for coach Polking in the early part of the season.

Extending Leo Artur's contract, therefore, is not merely about retaining a quality foreign player. It is also the next step in CAHN's process of building a squad that is sufficiently deep and competitive to defend the V-League title while aiming for bigger challenges in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite.