Dubai: Move over Bhaichung Bhutia, Indian football’s torchbearer who was recently inducted into Asia’s Hall of Fame. In what is easily the biggest move in the country’s football history, his friend and former teammate Renedy Singh has joined Bulgarian powerhouses CSKA Sofia on loan until the end of the season.
Bhutia was a trendsetter of sorts when he moved away from Indian shores to join Bury FC, a lower division club in the English leagues at the turn of the century — although Mohammad Salim is said to be the first ever to do so.
Two more Indian footballers followed in his footsteps, Sunil Chhetri to Kansas City in the MLS and goalkeeper Subrata Pal to FC Vestsjaelland in the Danish Superliga.
But midfielder Singh’s move at the age of 35 to a club that has won the Bulgarian league a record 31 times and is currently topping the standings again, besides also making it to the European Cup semi-finals twice, takes the cake.
Speaking to Gulf News after a training session with his new club, Singh, who played for Kerala Blasters in the inaugural Indian Super League late last year, said: “After the end of the ISL, as I was taking a break, I was approached by my friends at Football & Friends about an option to join CSKA Sofia for the rest of the season. And, after discussing the offer with family and friends, I decided to accept and come to Sofia.
“At 35 I am still fit to play and this is a chance for me to progress not only as a player, but also look at my future career,”
Singh, who has played for India 72 times and scored 12 goals, is pleased at the prospect of playing under Stoycho Mladenov, who featured for Bulgaria in the 1986 World Cup and from whom he hopes to learn the trade of coaching.
“Right now I am training, which remains my focus, but while training at this level you get to learn so much from these quality coaches and players, which will help me when I become a coach in a few years,” he said.
“Practice has been great so far. I have been training with them since last Thursday and it has all been positive. I am really enjoying the training.”
Singh is also hopeful of getting some playing time soon. “More than anything, the first three weeks will be crucial for me to get back to full match fitness. So this time will be vital for me for the remainder of the season. And, if I play, it depends on the coach choosing me,” he said.
Singh would not be drawn into a comparison with his friend Bhutia’s move to Bury, but said: “I have to be honest here, this is a club who have got a big name in European football — but, as far as I am concerned, I am part of the squad and I have to focus on my training more than anything else.”
So how has the news been received in India? “I am far away in Europe, so it is difficult for me to say how the news has been received there. I do hope to inspire the next generation of footballers, not only with this transfer but rather with what I have achieved over the years of my career.”
