Esteban Orozco: Equatorial Guinea-Spain centre-back completes free transfer from Unirea Slobozia to Hai Phong FC

Equatorial Guinea and Spain dual-national defender Esteban Orozco has completed a move from Romanian side Unirea Slobozia to Hai Phong FC in Vietnams V.League 1 on a free transfer, with the deal officially starting on 04/07/2026. The 28-year-old centre-back joins the Vietnamese top-flight club after his contract in Romania ended, with his new agreement in Hai Phong currently listed to run until 30/06/2027.

The transfer sees Orozco, valued at around 200,000 at the time of the move, leave Romanias Liga 2 for Southeast Asias highest domestic level. According to the transaction details, Unirea Slobozia receive no fee, underlining an opportunistic piece of business for Hai Phong FC, who secure a player with experience in both Spanish and Romanian football without paying a transfer sum.

This is Orozcos second move in 2026, having only joined Unirea Slobozia from ACSC FC Arges earlier in the year, also on a standard deal. That short stay in Slobozia follows a sustained spell in Romania that began with AFC Chindia Targoviste in 2022, highlighting a recent career trend of operating in Eastern European competitions before this confirmed switch to the V.League 1.

Born in Zaragoza on 07/05/1998 and standing 1.86m tall, Orozco is a right-footed specialist at centre-back. His dual nationality Equatorial Guinea and Spain and development in the Spanish system give Hai Phong FC a profile of defender not commonly found in the Vietnamese league structure. He comes through the Real Betis pathway, progressing from Real Betis Balompie U19 to Betis Deportivo Balompie before moving across Spains lower tiers.

Orozcos early senior career featured a loan and permanent spell at CD Utrera, followed by moves to CF Sant Rafel and then Antequera CF. During this period in Spain, his market value rose from 50,000 at Antequera to 200,000 after his first season in Romania with Chindia Targoviste, reflecting how his performances in a more competitive environment boosted his standing.

In Romania, he played for Chindia Targoviste and later ACSC FC Arges, where his valuation climbed further, peaking at 250,000 while on the books of the Arges club. His subsequent move to Unirea Slobozia preceded the most recent transfer to Hai Phong FC, with his market value adjusting back to 200,000 by June 2026. No specific appearance or goal statistics for his Romanian spells are provided in the available data, and there is no match-by-match breakdown to detail individual performances.

His arrival means Hai Phong FC add a defender who has operated across multiple clubs and leagues but has also experienced periods without a club, notably in 2018 and again in 2023 before joining ACSC FC Arges. Those free-agent spells underline the volatility of his career path and the significance of a secured contract in Vietnams top division.

With this move now confirmed and registered as a free transfer into V.League 1, Orozcos next phase will unfold far from both Spain and Romania. If he settles quickly at Hai Phong FC, consistent minutes in a growing league could play a decisive role in stabilising his career trajectory and reinforcing his reputation as a reliable centre-back on the international club stage.