Returning to Thailand this summer, Chanathip Songkrasin cost BG Pathum United 2 million USD, equivalent to 47 billion VND, in transfer fees.
BG Pathum United accepted the price offered by Kawasaki Frontale, as the Japanese club's contract with Chanathip is valid until January 31, 2025. Injuries limited the 29-year-old midfielder's contribution after two seasons, when he only played 27 matches and scored three goals, so he decided to return to Thailand.
BG Pathum United spent a lot of money to regain their position after only finishing ninth out of 16 teams in the 2022-2023 Thai League 1 season. Previously, the team won the 2020-2021 season and was runner-up in 2021-2022. Here, Chanathip will compete with familiar teammates on the Thai national team such as striker Teerasil Dangda, midfielder Sarach Yooyen and Phitiwat Sukjitthammakul.
BG Pathum United announced Chanathip Songkrasin joining the club on the afternoon of June 21. Photo: BGPU
Chanathip's move to BG Pathum United is the second most expensive deal in Thai League history, after Port FC spent $2.8 million to buy striker Dragan Boskovic from Bangkok United in the 2017-2018 season.
In January 2022, Kawasaki Frontale, then the reigning J-League 1 champions, bought Chanathip for $3.8 million – a record transfer fee for a player among Japanese clubs at the time. Including the deal to BG Pathum United, Chanathip cost teams $8.8 million (about VND207 billion) in the transfer market.
According to Siam Sport , Chanathip is the player with the highest total transfer fee in Thai football history. The midfielder born in 1993 is far ahead of the second-placed Tanaboon Kerasat, who went through three transfers with a total value of 3.2 million USD, from Muangthong United to Chiangrai United, then BG Pathum United and now Port FC.
According to German player valuation website Transfermakt , Chanathip's transfer value is currently at $1.3 million. He reached his highest value in December 2019, with $2.6 million.
Chanathip temporarily ended his 7-year playing football in Japan for two clubs Consadole Sapporo and Kawasaki Frontale. Photo: KF
Chanathip will turn 30 on October 5, 2023. He is only 1.63 m tall, but he makes up for it with his skillful technique and sharp football vision. Nicknamed "Thai Messi", this player is considered the best attacking midfielder in the history of Thai football.
Chanathip started his career at BEC Tero Sansana in 2012 before moving to Muangthong United in 2016. He played 120 matches and scored 14 goals in Thai League 1. Chanathip's biggest mark was winning the Thai League 1 championship and reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League with Muangthong United in 2016.
During his seven years in Japan, Chanathip played 144 matches, scoring 15 and assisting 22 goals. The 29-year-old midfielder did not achieve collective success, but was named to the J-League 1 best team and received the Consadole Sapporo Player of the Year award in 2018.
At the national team level, Chanathip owns all the Southeast Asian titles from winning the AFF U19 championship in 2011, winning the SEA Games gold medal in 2013 and 2015, and winning the AFF Cup three times in 2014, 2016 and 2020.
Mid-Autumn Festival
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