Stabaek goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu becomes first Indian to start for top-tier European club

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu created history by becoming the first Indian to start for a top-division European club when he started for Norwegian club Stabaek. He kept a clean sheet in his first senior start for the club.

The 23-year-old moved to Stabaek in August last year from East Bengal and made his debut in a friendly on 18th January, 2015 for his new club.

In a match against Runar in the Norwegian Cup, Gurpreet was shown confidence by the manager and the young Indian repaid that by keeping a clean sheet as his side romped to a 6-0 win.

The 6’ 6” goalkeeper is now the only Indian to have started a match for a top tier European side. He was delighted at achieving his dream and said that he couldn’t “ask for more”.

Gurpreet said, “I feel a bit relieved and proud as I was waiting for the opportunity and wanted to make most of it. I have been training hard for this moment. So I couldn't really ask for more.

“I didn't want to concede on this occasion and I thank my teammates for performing their best and helping me. I want to make most of such chances to prove that I'm good enough to start regularly in league games.”

Gurpreet has represented India once and hopes to emulate his idol, Subrata Pal, in donning the national cap on a regular basis.

He tweeted before the match:

Just on my way to the stadium - making my competitive debut for Stabaek in the Cup tonight #TimeToDeliver @Stabaek pic.twitter.com/2LAjzBNnfu

— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) April 22, 2015

He shared his delight at keeping a clean sheet and called himself a “ Proud Indian” after the match:

Happy to get a clean sheet on my debut for @Stabaek tonight - thanks coach! #HitForSix #ProudIndian

— Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) April 22, 2015