Indian stopper Gurpreet singh Sandhu became first Indian player since 1936 to play in top flight of a European football league. Sandhu made his debut for Norwegian Tippeligaen(first division) club Stabaek FC in August 2014.
He made his debut for them this weekend in 4-1 win over Follo Fotballklubb. He is the fifth Indian to play in Europe as Mohammed Salim (Celtic), Bhaichung Bhutia (Bury FC), Sunil Chhetri (Sporting Lisbon 'B') and Subrata Pal (FC Vestsjaelland) are the other four. Of them only, Mohammed Salim played in top flight with Celtic and Sandhu is next one since Salim.
The 22 year old former East Bengal man is tipped to be the next big thing in Indian football is clearly on the right track as far as his career is concerned.
TV presenter Joe Morrison said about the 6’6’’ shot-stopper hailing from Chandigarh, "I don't think people fully appreciate Gurpreet's achievement.
“How many have tried and failed to make it in Europe before and here is a boy who through his own hard work and ability has not only earned himself a permanent contract but also now has broken into the first team.
“He could quite easily have gone for the glitz and glamour of the ISL but anyone who knows football knows that the standard in Europe (in any league) is probably four of five levels above that of India."
The young lad from Chandigarh tweeted, “Another big step for me on the road to the top as today I make my first appearance for the Stabaek FC senior team.”
.jpg "Torres Miss (1)")
.jpg "League")