Sandesh Jhingan is set to become the latest Indian male footballer to ply his trade outside the country…
ATK Mohun Bagan and India national team defender Sandesh Jhingan is all set to join Croatian First Football League side HNK Sibenik for the upcoming 2021/22 season.
Bengaluru FC custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was the last player to play in a top division European league.
Mohammedan Sporting great Mohammed Salim was the first Indian player to play for an European club when he played to matches donning the Celtic jersey in 1936 when he went to Scotland for trial with the club.
In 1999, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia became the first Indian male footballer to sign for an European club when he joined English third tier side Bury FC. At that point he was also the youngest Indian player (22) to play abroad.
Who are the prominent players who have played abroad and at which age did they leave India?
| Player | Club | Division | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Salim | Celtic | Scotland top division | 32 | 1936 |
| Bhaichung Bhutia | Bury FC | England third division | 22 | 1999 |
| Bhaichung Bhutia | Perak FA | Malaysia top division | 28 | 2003 |
| Bhaichung Bhutia | Selangor MK Land | Malaysia second division | 30 | 2005 |
| Sunil Chhetri | Kansas City Wizards | USA top division | 25 | 2010 |
| Sunil Chhetri | Sporting CP B | Portugal second division | 27 | 2012 |
| Gurpreet Singh Sandhu | Stabaek | Norway top division | 22 | 2014 |
| Romeo Fernandes | Atletico Paranaense | Brazil top division | 22 | 2015 |
| Sandesh Jhingan (likely) | HNK Sibenik | Croatia top division | 28 | 2021 |