Gurpreet Singh Sandhu the former East Bengal Club Goalkeeper became the first Indian to play for a Fist Division European club. GSS told the Stabaek FC website that “I’m really proud and happy that it happened. I was waiting for the chance — the team won, that’s the main thing and (I got) a clean sheet and I thank the team for that,”
“I’m the only Indian player to play for a top division club in Europe so… I’m lucky,” he said.
Just on my way to the stadium – making my competitive debut for Stabaek in the Cup tonight #TimeToDeliver @Stabaek pic.twitter.com/2LAjzBNnfu
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) April 22, 2015
Happy to get a clean sheet on my debut for @Stabaek tonight – thanks coach! #HitForSix #ProudIndian
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) April 22, 2015
The Times of India responded really well to run the story on the front page
Well done Times of India for featuring a football story on the front page! https://t.co/NGsq5nHiZ0
— Joe Morrison (@joefooty) April 24, 2015
Bringing sport other than cricket on the front page will definitely help the already growing popularity of Football in India. Gurpreet is from St Stephen’s School Chandigarh and was the goalkeeper of the Indian team that won 2007 AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Championship qualifiers. He played his club football for East Bengal and represented India in Guangzhou Asian Games 2010. He now plays for Norwegian first division club Stabaek FC based in Baerum. The Club is currently ranked 9 in the Norway first division and has been part of the league since 1912 having won it in 2008.
