Phnom Penh Crown yesterday announced the club’s third signing of a French-Cambodian player in Va Sokthorn. According to a post on Crown’s Facebook page, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder, who has played for numerous teams in the fourth tier Championnat de France amateur league and last season scored 17 goals in 14 matches for Le Creusot JO, is set to officially join the Metfone C-League champions on October 1.

Sokthorn was born in Le Creusot in the Eastern French region of Burgundy, but his parents are from Kratie and Prey Veng provinces. “I have followed Cambodian football for many years, so I am very happy to have signed a contract with [Crown] for one season,” Sokthorn was quoted as saying on the facebook page.

“I was wanted by clubs at good levels in France but my priority was to play in Cambodia and [Crown] have given me that opportunity . . . I was so happy that the team won the championship and I was here to see it. And I am very happy that I will have an opportunity to play with great players like Kouch Sokumpheak, who for me is the best Khmer player I have seen.”