India's star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu committed his future to 2018-19 Indian Super League (ISL) champions Bengaluru FC, signing a five-year contract extension with the club till 2028. It was a special occasion for the Indian national team no. 1 who also turned 31 on the day.
Sandhu, who joined the club in 2017 after becoming the first Indian player to play in the UEFA Europa League at Norway’s Stabaek FC, has been a mainstay in Bengaluru FC’s starting XI over the last five years.
"I’m pleased to have extended my stay at Bengaluru FC, a club that has always shown faith in my abilities," Sandhu said.
"The way the club and the city embraced me, and the love shown by the supporters makes me believe that this is the best place for me to continue my journey.”
Sandhu has been a mainstay for Bengaluru FC, winning three trophies for his team in five years. During his time with Bengaluru, he has won three trophies — the Indian Super League (ISL) title in 2018-19, the Super Cup in 2018 and most recently, the Durand Cup in 2022.
He has also played over 50 matches for India since making his debut in 2011.
Sandhu has made 108 appearances in the ISL. Only Amrinder Singh has featured in more games in the country's top-flight league as a goalkeeper. His first task after signing the contract extension will be to help his side to the ISL playoffs. The Blues currently sit in seventh place, just one point behind sixth-placed Odisha FC.
Under the new format, the top two teams at the end of the league stage will automatically qualify for the semi-finals. The teams finishing between third and sixth will feature in a single-leg playoff to determine the other two semi-finalists.
Bengaluru FC travel to ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday in a crucial game in the race for the playoffs.
