Naturalized midfielder unexpectedly removed by former V.League champion

Becamex TP.HCM has officially ended their association with naturalized midfielder Trần Trung Hiếu following over three years of collaboration, serving the team's roster restructuring strategy.

Becamex TP.HCM officially bid farewell to naturalized midfielder Trần Trung Hiếu (born Geoffrey Kizito), concluding more than three years with the club. This is seen as one of the notable decisions of the Thu Dau Mot-based team during their squad overhaul aimed at returning to V-League by the 2026/27 season.

On their official media platforms, Becamex TP.HCM expressed gratitude to the 33-year-old player for his contributions during his time with the club. The club's leadership acknowledged his dedication and wished the naturalized midfielder success in the next chapter of his career.

Trần Trung Hiếu was born in 1993 in Uganda and completed his Vietnamese naturalization procedures in 2017. He began playing in Vietnam in 2012, representing Xuân Thành Sài Gòn, Than Quảng Ninh, Sài Gòn FC, and Nam Định before joining Becamex TP.HCM in early 2023. Known for his interception ability, ball recovery, and midfield control, he has been regarded as one of the most experienced naturalized defensive midfielders in Vietnamese football.

During his time at Becamex TP.HCM, Trần Trung Hiếu was a key figure in the midfield due to his resilient and experienced style of play. In the 2025/26 season, he made 20 appearances across all competitions, playing over 1,000 minutes and contributing one assist. Though not outstanding in goal-scoring stats, he left his mark by balancing the game and providing effective defensive support.

The decision to release Trần Trung Hiếu stems from the squad-building direction of new head coach Gerard Albadalejo. The Spanish tactician prioritizes strengthening the attack by using one foreign player and one naturalized player in the forward line. Since the First Division regulations allow each team to register only one naturalized player, Becamex TP.HCM opted to keep striker Hoàng Vũ Samson instead of retaining Trần Trung Hiếu.

Additionally, the club is also trialing several experienced central midfielders to prepare for the new season. The departure of Trần Trung Hiếu marks the end of a memorable chapter, while ushering in a strong rebuilding phase for Becamex TP.HCM as they aim to return to the V-League arena soon.