Chandigarh footballer Sandesh Jhingan to play in top Croatian football league

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 18

Chandigarh’s Sandesh Jhingan has become the first Indian footballer to be a part of the Croatian top-tier league, Prva HNL, after he completed a move from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK Sibenik.

An alumnus of Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, and a trainee of St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, Jhingan will be the flag bearer of India’s top division league – Indian Super League – at the Prva HNL.

“We are happy to have him (Jhingan) with us. We expect good things from him as we have followed him on different platforms. Although we know the adaptation process might take him a few weeks, we are confident that with his quality and leadership, he will become an important member of the team,” said Francisco Cardona, CEO, HNK Sibenik.

The 28-year-old, who was named the Indian footballer of the year last month, is already in Croatia and watched the Sunday’s home win against Hrvatski Dragovoljac.

“He made a very good impression on the staff and fans of the club when he was watching the last home game from the stands,” said Cardona.

Jhingan sounded excited about his new assignment.

“I am at a stage of my career where I really want to test myself at the highest-level. And I think, this is the perfect platform for me. As I have said, it has been my desire to play in Europe and I have taken up this challenge upon myself,” said the defender.

Jhingan first broke into prominence as a 21-year-old footballer in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League in 2014 where he was adjudged the ‘Emerging Player of the League’, a feat that helped him earn a place in the India men’s team.

He made his India debut in 2015 against Nepal at the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers. The defender also has two ISL runners-up titles to his credit with Kerala Blasters FC, where he spent six years. He moved to ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020 after missing the previous season due to an injury.

Rising star

• Sandesh Jhingan first broke into prominence as a 21-year-old footballer in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League in 2014 where he was adjudged the ‘Emerging Player of the League’.
• He made his India debut in 2015 against Nepal at the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
• The defender has two ISL runners-up titles to his credit with Kerala Blasters FC
• He moved to ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020 after spending six years with Kerala Blasters.
• Last month, Jhingan was named the Indian footballer of the year.

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