ISL 2017-18: Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu renews contract with club for five years

Indian football team’s first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has signed a new contract of five years with Bengaluru FC after playing a key role in the side’s campaign in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL). The Blues, who have made it to the ISL summit clash, to be played on 17 March on their home ground in Bengaluru, decided to retain the former Stabaek FC goalkeeper who has been impressive under the bar in this edition of the league. [caption id=“attachment_2256226” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Gurpreet Sandhu is among the finest goalkeepers in the country. Courtesy: Facebook/ File[/caption] “Yes, we have offered a five-year contract to Gurpreet and he has signed on the dotted lines. We are happy to have retained him as our goalkeeper. His contract will now run till May 2023,” an official of the club told PTI on the condition of anonymity. The official, however, refused to divulge any financial details regarding the contract. The 26-year-old Punjab-born goalkeeper is already one of the highest paid players in the ISL. Gurpreet returned to India last year after spending three years at Norwegian club Stabaek during 2014-17. He made just three first-team appearances for the club in Eliteserien, Norway’s primary football competition. In his short stint at Bengaluru FC so far, Gurpreet has made 18 appearances. One of the finest players in the tournament this year, Gurpreet leads the chart for ‘Golden Glove’ award with 111.86 minutes between the goals conceded. Gurpreet started his senior career with Kolkata giants East Bengal before making a loan move to Pailan Arrows. In 2009, Gurpreet made his debut for the India U-19 side against Iraq in 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification. Two years later, he was called up to the senior Indian squad of 23 for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Till date, Gurpreet has made a total of 20 appearances for the national team.