Saigon FC chairman Tran Hoa Binh and the four players who will play for J-League 2 & 3. (Photo: Saigon FC)

Pham Van Luan and Vu Hong Quan will play for Ryukyu FC at J-League 2, while Nguyen Van Son and Bui Ngoc Long will join Azul Claro Numazu FC at J-League 3.

The websites of these Japanese clubs have also confirmed the news, saying they are ready to receive the Vietnamese players.

The players are scheduled to leave for their Japanese missions in February after they celebrate the traditional lunar New Year holiday (Tet) with their families which falls on February 1.

Both J-League 2 & 3 are scheduled to kick off on February 19 and March 12 respectively.

Saigon FC chairman Tran Hoa Binh said in an attempt to develop Vietnamese football and reduce dependence on foreign players, he has desired to send his players to Japan to hone skills before returning to play for the local side.