Chandigarh lad Sandesh Jhingan joins ATK Mohun Bagan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26

City lad and Indian team defender Sandesh Jhingan will now be part of ATK Mohun Bagan, the defending Indian Super League champions. The club announced this high-profile signing today though it did not reveal the signing amount.

Jhingan, 27, who was recently honoured with the Arjuna Award, is said to be the highest-valued footballer in India. He is the second footballer from the city, after former Indian defender Sanjeev Maria, to join the club.

“I am delighted to have joined the ATKMB. I had a detailed interaction with the coach and the owners. I admire their vision and I am very happy that they felt that I could be a part of the family,” stated a press release issued by the club quoting Jhingan.

The former Kerala Blasters defender was keen on plying his trade in Europe, preferably Portugal, but he changed his plans following the pandemic and joined the club. The club will compete in the AFC Cup 2021. Jhingan will form a troika with India teammate Pritam Kotal and Spaniard recruit Tiri and he will have a chance to prove his mettle at the international level.

“I have a lot of friends in the team. I am looking forward to join them and start working together,” the footballer said.

He missed the entire 2019-20 season due to an injury.

Jhingan will join the squad in Goa where the team members are quarantined after arriving this morning ahead of the ISL. The league is slated to begin in the third week of November. “Jhingan brings a new energy to the team. He is an adept player and adds immense value to our overall strategy,” said head coach Habas.

The former Kerala Blasters player won the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year award in 2014 and debuted for the national team in 2015.

Jhingan’s former coaches in Chandigarh — Surinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh Pinka, Sandeep Singh and Indeerjeet Singh — congratulated the footballer on his achievement.

Shot into limelight in 2010

A former trainee of Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, and St Stephen’s Football Academy, Sandesh Jhingan has represented the city at many national events. He came into limelight in 2010 when Chandigarh won the Dr BC Roy Trophy for the first time. Thereafter, he was selected for junior India camp and clubs.