Gurpreet Singh Sandhu creates history; first Indian to play for Norwegian club

It was a super Monday for national football goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, when he entered the history books by becoming first Indian to feature in a top-tier league match in Europe. The 24-year Indian turned out to play for Norwegian side Stabaek FC. Sandhu was roped in by Stabaek FC in 2014, is the second fiddle to Ivorian goalkeeper Sayouba Mande. He had also played in the Norwegian cup earlier.

The Punjab lad took to social media to share his excitement after the match.

“Proud to become the First Indian ever to start in a Top Division League game in Europe!!!!,” Sandhu tweeted.

“Facing @ikstart tonight before the International break kicks in, need to finish on a good note @Stabaek #Tippeligaen,” he wrote.

Proud to become the First Indian ever to start in a Top Division League game in Europe !!!!#HowYouLikeMeNow

— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) 29 May 2016

The Punjab lad has been the number one goalkeeper in the Indian team since Stephen Constantine took over last year.  Sandhu will directly join the national football team in Laos where India are playing their play-off match of the 2019 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 2.

Earlier, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia played for English third division side Bury FC in 1999-2000 and current national skipper Sunil Chhetri played for the ‘B’ team of Sporting Lisbon in 2012. 

Facing @ikstart tonight before the International break kicks in, need to finish on a good note @Stabaek #Tippeligaen pic.twitter.com/iO1OEuK2Db

— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) 29 May 2016