Indian defender Amarjeet Mishra signs for Portuguese side CD Castrela

Indian footballer Amarjeet Mishra has been signed by Portuguese side Clube Deportivo Estrela (CD Estrela) for the senior team in the 2019-20 season. CD Estrela competes in the Lisbon FA First Division, Serie 2. The footballer from Uttar Pradesh previously represented the under-17 side of Sociedade União 1º Dezembro in 2017, a third division Portuguese team.

The defender is a graduate from the Minerva Punjab Academy Football and Cricket Club which produced many players for the Indian football team which played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup back in 2017. Although he did not play in the World Cup, Amarjeet played for in practice matches and help the U-17 side in the preparation for the mega event in India.

The Under-17 football team paid a visit to Portugal for a six-week training camp in the build-up to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. It was during that time that Amarjeet managed to hog the limelight during their visit at the Portuguese club (Sociedade União 1º Dezembro). The footballer can play as a right back and also as a left back, which makes him more versatile.

Following which, Dezembro’s current academy coordinator, Andre Gomes, who was then working with the Indian U-17 team suggested the player to the club and subsequently scouted the player. It was a part of the club’s strategy to develop their U-17 and U-19 teams and prepare them for playing in the Portuguese National League.

This is not the first Indian from the U-17 batch from 2017 to get an opportunity in a foreign club. Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, who impressed immensely in the U17 World Cup was offered a contract by Scottish side Motherwell FC. But unfortunately, he was not eligible to sign for the European club since he will not be granted a work permit until he turns 18. He currently plays for Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters FC.