AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: In a mammoth feat for Indian Football, Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, a product of AIFF’s Youth Development Programme became the first Indian Player to feature in the UEFA Europe League when the former Kingfisher East Bengal Goalkeeper started for his Club Norway’s Stabaek FC against Welsh side Quay Nomads FC on June 30, 2016.

Gurpreet featured for more than 30 minutes in the clash and had to be substituted after because of a wrist injury, but not before scripting history.

Not only that, the lanky custodian had earlier etched his name into history books when he became the first Indian to play in the top-flight League of a European Nation.

A joyous Gurpreet had told www.the-aiff.com: “This is a proud moment for all the Indian Football fans and I hope that my journey can inspires myriads of Indian Footballers, who wish to ply their trade abroad. At the same time the fans need to keep supporting us and back their Football Team.”

“It was a bit difficult to acclimatize given that the Norwegian League is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe,” he added.

“The higher standard of Football in the Norwegian League makes it all the more challenging. However, the things that you learn daily are imperative and helps you go a long way,” he had stated.

“I never thought that I would be reaching this point where I would be playing in Europe. It is a dream come true for me and I’m proud to have done what I have done – representing India at that level,” he opined.

“I have grown as a Player in all aspects of my game both mentally and physically and polished all my skills.”

The 24-year old Goalkeeper features sporadically for Stabaek FC in the Norwegian Pro League and had captained India in India’s 4-1 win over Puerto Rico.