VietNamNet Bridge – SHB Da Nang have decided to terminate a one-year contract with Argentine striker Gaston Sebastian Merlo early due to a knee injury he is yet to recover from, the general director of SHB Joint Stock Sport Company, Bui Xuan Hoa, told Viet Nam News yesterday, April 1.

Coach Le Huynh Duc (left). – File photo

Merlo, who returned for Da Nang in 2013 after a successful ligament operation in Argentina, needed further surgery on his knee at a hospital in HCM City last month.

"We will end his contract because he has failed to recover from injury. The team will look for another player to patch the hole left in the team line-up," Hoa said.

Team coach Le Huynh Duc said Merlo had made a great contribution to the team over the years, but the team would look for a replacement.

Merlo has played only five games for Da Nang this year

Merlo, who has scored a total of 86 goals for Da Nang since 2009, helped Da Nang win the V-League in 2009 and 2012, and the National Cup in 2009.

The 29-year-old was also named the Best Foreign Footballer three times during his time at the club, and was the league's top scorer in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Source: VNS