From I-League to Europe: 19-year-old Hridaya Jain signs with Slovenian second division side

The 19-year-old was adjudged the Emerging Player in the 2024/25 I-League season.

The longing of Indian Football fans to see an Indian player playing in Europe has been answered. The 19-year-old dynamo from Karnataka, Hridaya Jain, has signed for NK Brinje Grosuplje, a Slovenian second division club.

With this, three young Indian footballers are now playing in the Slovenian football system — Som Kumar with NK Radomlje, Nihaar Manirama with ND Slovan, and now Hridaya Jain with NK Brinje Grosuplje.

The Delhi FC and Minerva Academy Owner Ranjit Bajaj informed the Indian Football fans about this development, taking to social media. In a video shared on social media, Bajaj expressed his jubilation as Jain comes from the Minerva Academy.

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A post shared by Ranjit Bajaj (@ranjitbajaj)

Hridaya Jain is a versatile talent who can play anywhere in the attack. The Delhi FC talent impressed last season with his ability to take on defenders, create chances, deceive compact defenses, and convert some of those chances with finesse.

Jain played for Delhi FC in the last I League season, where he scored four goals and provided an assist in 21 appearances.

Bright opportunity for a special talent

After impressing in the I-League, this comes as a huge milestone in Hridaya Jain’s career. An opportunity to play in Europe at such a young age only augurs well for the youngster and his career trajectory.

His new club, NK Brinje Grosuplje, plays in the second division of Slovenian football. This move will result in Jain growing as a player, as the rigors of European Football will test him and push him to evolve.

One thing that Indian Football players have not been able to do is venture out of their comfort zone. High remunerative standards of the Indian Super League have prompted Indian players to stay in India.

On occasions when Indian players have tried to play in Europe, India’s low FIFA rankings and work restrictions have played a spoilsport. Hridaya Jain’s move to Europe is a glimmer of hope for all the emerging Indian Footballers.

Indian players in Europe

Indian football has long been chasing a European breakthrough, but the path has rarely been smooth. For most players, the dream ends before it begins, blocked by visa restrictions, limited scouting networks, and the lack of consistent exposure at a young age. The result is that Indian football has produced only a handful of professionals who managed to step onto European soil.

Sunil Chhetri’s short stint with Sporting Club de Portugal was once seen as a turning point, but it ended quickly, reminding many how tough the leap really is. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu then set a new benchmark in Norway with Stabæk FC, even making history as the first Indian to play in the UEFA Europa League. Others, like Sandesh Jhingan during his time at HNK Šibenik in Croatia, tried but couldn’t create lasting impact.

In recent years, a younger wave has started to test the waters. Former Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Som Kumar has found a place in Slovenia’s top flight with NK Radomlje, while another teenager, Hridaya Jain, has now signed with second-tier outfit NK Brinje Grosuplje.

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