Thierry in 7 Days

Thierry Bin speaks in 7 Days

Today's Phnom Penh Post's 7 Days edition contained a short interview with Phnom Penh Crown's French-Khmer striker Thierry Bin, in an article on Khmer returnees.
Thierry Chantha Bin, Paris, France, 21
I only came back to Cambodia last week, I'm from Paris. I'm playing professional football for the Phnom Penh Crown. I came with the Khmer Europe team in September, a selection of the best players of Cambodian origins in Europe. I was then signed by Crown after a few weeks of negotiation. I was the first French-Cambodian player to join the Cambodian premier league. I was born in France, my parents fled just before the fall of Phnom Penh. I have been back twice, in September 2007 and 2012, but in 2012 it was just to play a single game of football.
The hardest part about being back is the heat. I'm currently living in a clubhouse with other local players. You can imagine how the living conditions here are different from what I've known in France. I came here to know better my country of origin, so it's up to me to adapt and make it a good experience.
Cambodia is completely different to the image my parents portrayed to me. I think I'd like to stay here for a long time - my parents are in France though. I have a one-year contract and will see after that. It would be awesome to join the national team. It was amazing to see the TV crews waiting for me at the airport. I think I could have a long-term career here, so yes, I plan to stay a long time.

Thierry's club, Phnom Penh Crown are set to play two more warm-up matches before they head to Vietnam for a pre-season tournament. They meet Preah Khan Reach on Monday 5 November at 2pm, and then face Naga Corp on Sunday 11 November at 3pm, with both games scheduled for Crown's RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork.

All smiles for the cameras

Thierry Bin and coach Sam Schweingruber shake hands

A few more photos from this afternoon's arrival at the Phnom Penh International Airport of Thierry Bin, Phnom Penh Crown's newest signing, all the way from Paris.

Time to show off Thierry Bin's new number 9 jersey

CNC reporter Phal Sokpheary asks the questions

Thierry Bin at the airport this afternoon

Thierry Bin looks to his coach for inspiration

More questions for Thierry and Sam

Time to head for a shower and some well-earned rest after a long flight from Paris

Thierry flies in

Thierry Bin, PPCFC's new number 9

Phnom Penh Crown's newest signing, Thierry Bin, arrived from Paris, via Kuala Lumpur and walked straight into the full glare of the television cameras on his arrival at the city's International Airport. Welcomed by Crown's new head coach Sam Schweingruber and club officials, Thierry was quickly put in front of the cameras from no less than half a dozen television channels sending their cameramen - CTN, Hang Meas, CNC, TV3, TV5, TV9 and Bayon - with the coach fielding the initial series of questions. Speaking in fluent Khmer, Sam responded: "I signed Thierry because of his technique and his understanding of the game, plus his experience of working in a professional environment. I want him to help our many young players to understand more about professional football and to help take us to the next level. He will help us to create the right environment and to be more professional - though we aren't sure of winning trophies right away, we will certainly be a strong team. He has a 1 year contract but we will look to extend that fairly soon if he becomes the key player we believe he is." He then added; "We are looking at two other Khmer-French players, we are interested in them but we haven't signed them yet." The questions were then directed at Thierry, who replied in a mix of French and Khmer. "I chose Phnom Penh Crown because its the best project overall, I was impressed with what the club want to do, not just the 1st team but the overall club development. The coach was the one who talked to me at length, I trust him and he made me want to join the club....I want to win games and help the club win the championship. My personal goal is to play well for Crown and go onto play for the Cambodia national team....I want to say thank you to the supporters and people who made the Khmer-Europe trip possible. I am excited about playing in Cambodia and for Phnom Penh Crown." It was a good start to the 21-year-old's career with Crown, which will begin with a flourish with his first training session at 8am on Tuesday morning. The player has a good pedigree, having been a junior with a top academy at RC Strasbourg, during which time he represented the French U-16 national team. He went onto play at Bretigny, FC Saint-Jean-le-Blanc and Aubervilliers before making the switch to the country of his parent's birth, after a successful showing whilst on tour with the Khmer-Europe team a couple of months ago.

Thierry Bin and coach Sam Schweingruber hold his number 9 jersey

Seven TV stations covered the arrival of Thierry Bin at the airport this afternoon

Thierry chooses Crown

Thierry Bin joins PPCFC

Phnom Penh Crown have been busy this week. Three days of open trials have occupied the attentions of head coach Sam Schweingruber and his coaching staff, but he still found time to agree to the release of four more players from last season's playing squad, and to waste no time in capturing a new face, that will, he hopes, light up the Metfone C-League next season. His name is Thierry Bin, or Bin Thierry, as the Khmers put the surname first. The son of Battambang-born Khmer parents, he was born in Paris and has been playing in France all of his life, he's 21 years old, but starred on the recent visit of the European Khmer team, and will now try his luck in Cambodia. He was being courted by Boeung Ket and Kirivong but decided on Crown as his final destination. He will make the move to Phnom Penh from Paris this weekend and arrives here on Monday. The reaction from football fans has been very positive, especially after he caught the imagination whilst playing on the Khmer-Europe XI tour a couple of months ago, scoring from a direct free-kick against Crown in particular, which will be remembered by many. As a youngster, he was at the RC Strasbourg academy and played for the Paris District U-14s and the France U-16 national team before spells at FC Saint-Jean-Le-Blanc and Aubervilliers. He's a natural left-footed midfield player who can also play up front. As for the players released by the club, and announced today, they include current national team defender Tieng Tiny, who's been with the club for the past 4 years and is one of the most experienced players in the country. Also on their way out are Chan Dara, another former national team defender, and midfielders Chhun Sovanna and Koem Sophanal.