In the rapidly evolving landscape of Southeast Asian football, Alan Sebastião Alexandre—known universally as Alan Grafite—has emerged as the defining foreign import of the modern V.League era. A 27-year-old Brazilian striker standing at a commanding 1.89 meters, Grafite represents a tactical paradox: he possesses the physical dimensions of a traditional “Number 9” battering ram, yet operates with the technical fluidity and dribbling penchant of a support striker. Since arriving in Vietnam in 2024, his transformative impact has seen him lead Công An Hà Nội to historic silverware and earn the title of 2025 Best Foreign Player, cementing his status as the league’s most valuable offensive asset.
At a Glance
- Full Name: Alan Sebastião Alexandre
- Date of Birth: 1998 (27 years old as of early 2026)
- Place of Birth: Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Position: Striker
- Current Club: Công An Hà Nội (CAHN)
- National Team: N/A (Brazil)
The Story So Far
The narrative of Alan Grafite is one of resilience and a late-blooming explosion onto the international stage. Born in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, he adopted the professional moniker “Grafite” early in his development—a nod to the legendary Edinaldo Batista Libânio, who conquered the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg. The name carried the weight of expectation: a promise of physical dominance and deceptive pace.
Alan’s early years at Criciúma Esporte Clube were formative but difficult. Deemed surplus to requirements at 19, he entered a nomadic six-year odyssey through the brutal competitiveness of the Brazilian pyramid. Between 2017 and 2023, he was primarily contracted to Chapecoense during their rebuilding phase, but he spent most of his time as a “loan army” regular. While he was part of the squad that won the 2020 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, he struggled for consistent minutes at clubs like Vila Nova and Botafogo-PB, often finding himself in defensive systems that negated his ability to link play.
The turning point came in October 2023 with a move to Quy Nhon Binh Dinh in the V.League 1. Under the guidance of coach Bui Doan Quang Huy, whom Alan affectionately calls “Papa,” the Brazilian was finally given the keys to an attack. He responded with a sensational 17-goal debut season, driving Binh Dinh to a surprise runner-up finish. This “Vietnamese Awakening” caught the attention of the league’s giants, leading to a blockbuster move to Công An Hà Nội (CAHN) in July 2024.
At CAHN, Alan ascended to “Galactico” status. Under coach Alexandre “Mano” Polking, he became the focal point of a star-studded side, forming a telepathic partnership with fellow Brazilian Leo Artur. His crowning achievement came in the 2024–25 National Cup Final, where a historic hat-trick secured the club’s first-ever title. By the end of 2025, he had swept the individual awards, being named both Player of the Year and Best Foreign Player, proving that his journey from the Brazilian periphery to the peak of Asian football was complete.
Style of Play & Tactical Analysis
Alan Grafite is the prototype for the modern V.League forward, offering a multi-faceted threat that bedevils regional defenses.
- The Physical Reference Point: Standing 1.89m and weighing 82kg, Alan is elite in aerial duels and back-to-goal hold-up play. He serves as a vital outlet for goalkeeper Filip Nguyen, utilizing his frame to absorb contact and shield the ball, allowing CAHN to transition from defense to attack with ease.
- Technical Fluidity: Unlike static target men, Alan “likes to dribble.” He is surprisingly comfortable in 1v1 situations, using quick feet and body feints to create shooting angles in tight spaces. He is a clinical finisher with both feet, equally adept at poacher’s finishes in the six-yard box as he is with strikes from the edge of the area.
- Tactical Utility: Under Mano Polking’s possession-heavy 4-3-3, Alan acts as a facilitator. He frequently drops deep to play short, incisive passes, linking the midfield of Nguyen Quang Hai with the late runs of Leo Artur. This “Batman and Robin” connection with Artur has become the engine room of the CAHN offense.
- Areas for Growth: Scouting reports highlight a recurring weakness in offside awareness; his tendency to play on the shoulder often breaks the rhythm of attacks. Additionally, his defensive work rate is low, as he prefers to conserve energy for offensive bursts, and his physical style occasionally leads to a high frequency of fouls.
Future Outlook
As of early 2026, Alan Grafite stands at a critical juncture. After a prolific start to the 2025/26 campaign, his momentum was halted by a severe ankle injury sustained in the AFC Champions League Two against Macarthur FC. However, his rehabilitation is nearly complete, with a highly anticipated return scheduled for the ASEAN Club Championship fixture against Selangor FC in late January.
With his contract set to expire in June 2026, the next six months will determine the next chapter of his career. While CAHN views him as a cornerstone of their continental ambitions, his “Player of the Year” pedigree and a market valuation of €375k have alerted wealthier clubs across Thailand, Malaysia, and the Middle East. Whether he remains in Hanoi or seeks a new challenge, Alan Grafite remains the most feared offensive force in Vietnamese football.
The Trophy Case (Honours)
| Honour | Team / Award Type | Season(s) |
| Vietnamese National Cup | Công An Hà Nội | 2024–25 |
| Vietnamese Super Cup | Công An Hà Nội | 2024–25 |
| V.League 1 Player of the Year | Individual | 2025 |
| V.League 1 Best Foreign Player | Individual | 2025 |
| V.League 1 Top Goal Scorer | Shared Golden Boot | 2024–25 |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série B | Chapecoense | 2020 |
| V.League 1 Runner-up | Quy Nhon Binh Dinh | 2023–24 |
| ASEAN Club Championship Finalist | Công An Hà Nội | 2025 |
The Record (Career Statistics)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
| 2017 | Criciúma | Série B | 2 | 0 |
| 2017–21 | Chapecoense | Série A/B | 14 | 1 |
| 2019 | Toledo (Loan) | State League | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | Concórdia (Loan) | State League | 10 | 4 |
| 2021–23 | Vila Nova | Série B | 21 | 1 |
| 2022 | Cianorte (Loan) | State League | 13 | 3 |
| 2022 | Botafogo-PB (Loan) | Série C | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | Confiança (Loan) | Série C | 21 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Quy Nhon Binh Dinh | V.League 1 | 22 | 17 |
| 2024–25 | Công An Hà Nội | V.League 1 | 23 | 20+* |