Gurpreet Sandhu signs for Bengaluru FC

In what has been a fantastic coup by Bengaluru FC, the JSW-owned outfit have roped in the services of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from Norway’s Stabaek FC for the 2017-18 season.

The India number one’s contract with Stabaek was set to expire in December 2017 and was approached by a host of ISL franchises before the player opted to make a move to Bengaluru FC.

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At the end of the ISL draft, there were talks of Bengaluru not being strong in the goalkeeping department having picked Lalthuammawia Ralte, Abhra Mondal and Calvin Abhishek.

However, the club plotted the move for Gurpreet way before the ISL draft after having decided to retain the services of Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh.

This strategy was masterminded by Mandar Tamhane, Bengaluru FC’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), a move which is bound to leave most ISL clubs wondering as to why they couldn’t convince the former East Bengal goalkeeper to join their ranks.

Bengaluru FC fans wouldn’t have to wait too long to see their new signing in action as Gurpreet has been registered to play in the AFC Cup knockout game against DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC on August 23 at the Kanteerava Stadium.

Gurpreet, who became the first Indian to play in a Europa League game last year, was already in Mumbai to do a shoot with the ISL broadcasters for Bengaluru FC earlier this month.

How will Gurpreet play in the AFC Cup?

The goalkeeper has in the past trained with Bengaluru FC during the off season to keep himself in prime physical condition.

Gurpreet, who is currently by far the best Indian goalkeeper by some distance, would certainly add steel to Albert Roca’s side. Bengaluru FC fans have another hero to cheer for alongside Sunil Chhetri in Gurpreet.