Bissainthe Inks Short-Term Deal In Vietnam

Bicou Bissainthe’s next stop after joining FC Edmonton will be in Vietnam.

The six-foot-two central defender has inked a short-term contract with Haiphong FC, making his debut for the top flight Vietnamese side earlier today in a Super Cup match against capital city club Hanoi.

Bissainthe had signed a contract with Pacific FC last year after his former club in Armenia folded, with the 23-year-old then being sent out on loan to FC Edmonton.

He made 22 appearances for FC Edmonton across all competitions last year, contributing two goals for the Eddies in what ultimately became the club’s final season.

His new playing stint in Vietnam marks the fifth country he’ll have played in: prior to folded clubs FC Edmonton (Canada) and FC Sevan (Armenia), he also played for Real Hope FA (Haiti) and North Texas SC (USA), making sixteen appearances for the latter in USL League One.

Bissainthe’s first move to North America came after he made a good showing in the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship, with the midfielder-turned-centre-back contributing three goals in four matches. The 23-year-old has also featured for Haiti at the U-20 and U-23 levels, making seven appearances overall.

“Bicou is a top player and amazing person – really excited to see how he does in Vietnam,” added former Eddies coach Alan Koch. “Really happy to see so many of our FC Edmonton players gaining the opportunities they deserve in the Canadian Premier League and around the world.”

With the Haitian’s contract with Haiphong being a short-term nature, it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old could be making a return to CPL pastures. His former parent club Pacific FC has shuffled its defensive roster somewhat, with Paul Amedume returning to the fold and likely taking the roster spot that might’ve been Bisainthe’s – though what happens next ultimately remains to be seen.

There’ve been plenty of former Eddies finding their feet in the league of late, with last week seeing Marcus Simmons sign with Vancouver FC.

The Vietnamese top flight will kick off next week, with Bicou’s new club having finished second last season, securing a spot in the AFC Champions League qualifying round set for this summer.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques