Last month, Denilson was offered a three-month deal with Perth Glory but the World Cup star opted to sign for the V-League outfit on a short-term deal.

Denilson's local representatives Entourage Management are still hopeful the 31-year-old will get to ply his wares in the A-League at some point in the future.

"It's only a three-month contract [with Hai Phong], so we're hoping this could be a good way of getting him match fit for his next sojourn," says Entourage director John Denison.

Denilson - whose $43million move from Sao Paulo to Real Betis in 1998 made him the world's most expensive player - is set to make his debut for against SHB Da Nang on Saturday after agreeing a deal for play for the second half of V-League season.

 "He will be available early September," added Denison. "So anything's possible."