Gurpreet Singh Sandhu,the 24-year-old goalkeeper from Chandigarh, was given the honour of captaining the reserves team of Norway’s Stabaek FC in a match of Norway’s Second Division League on Sunday.
“This is the first time any Indian has captained a European football team and this makes it much bigger than my own happiness. I will try to give my best and lead my team in the right direction with positive intent,” said Sandhu.
Sandhu had already made history by becoming the first-ever Indian to play in the top division of a European league when he was played for Stabaek FC last year.
Proud to become the first Indian to captain a European team, it's not about awards it's about achievements. #LeavingNoStoneUnturned
— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) April 26, 2016
On Sunday, with Sandhu as captain, the reserves team of Stabaek FC beat FC Senja 2-0 in Oslo. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Sandhu said he was looking forward to playing the new role of captain. “I am happy to be named the captain of my club’s reserve side.
When asked why he chose to go to Europe over accepting contracts from teams in the lucrative Indian Super League, Singh said, “Yes, there were offers from India, specifically from the I-league and the ISL. However, I knew my future was in Europe. If I didn’t sign for Stabaek, I would have tried to sign for a Spanish club as some interest was shown from there. Everton were also interested.”
The goalkeeper made more than 100 appearances for East Bengal between 2010 and 2014 before going to Stabæk for a trial.
Gurpreet’s club currently lies 15th in the 16 team Tippeligaen with just four points from their opening seven games in the season.
