Making history: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the first Indian to play for a top tier European club

The late great Mohammad Salim, India’s most popular captain Bhaichung Bhutia, and even current stars Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Paul tried but failed to play competitive football for a top tier European club. [caption id=“attachment_2209382” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Facebook Image[/caption] The honour of being the first Indian to do so will now forever belong to goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who made his competitive debut for Norwegian club Stabaek on Wednesday. Gurpreet joined the club in August last year and has been understudy to Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sayouba Mande. His patience was rewarded last night night against Runar in the Norwegian Football Cup and he made it a memorable one with a clean sheet. Stabbaek, who play in Norway’s top division Tippeligaen and are managed by former United States national coach Bob Bradley, ran riot against Runar, comfortable winning 6-0. “I’m really proud and happy that it happened. I was waiting for the chance – the team won, that’s the main thing and (I got) a clean sheet and I thank the team for that,” Sandhu told the club’s website after the first round win. “The team showed character and didn’t lose concentration and did what it required in these kind of matches,” the former East Bengal and Pailan Arrows player said, before adding: “I’m the only Indian player to play for a top division club in Europe so… I’m lucky.” Gurpeet also made it clear he wasn’t planning on settling for the odd game. “He [Mande] is a very good goalkeeper, but we are competitors when we are on the pitch. I will show my manager that I’m as good as Mande, and that I deserve a second chance. I would very much like to be Stabæks number one.”