Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Yan Dhanda

Yan Dhanda has played for Liverpool FC’s youth team.

In a recent press conference, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey stated that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is actively pursuing the integration of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players into the Indian national football team.

One such player who has already shown his interest in playing for the Blue Tigers is — Yan Dhanda. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the player’s roots, his career, and his eligibility to play for the national team.

Yan Dhanda’s roots

Yan Dhanda is a professional footballer who was born in Tipton, England, on 14th December 1998. Brought up in Birmingham, Yan Dhanda grew up and started his football journey in the West Midlands.

Jas Dhanda, the father of the 26-year-old, is of Indian descent. While he was born in England as well, Jas’ parents were from Punjab in India. Zoe, who is Yan’s mother, on the other hand, is English.

The footballer has said that both his father and his uncle had played for Tipton Town FC in England, hence that’s how he got involved with the sport. While Yan is a British citizen, he holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and can live and work in India.

Also Read: Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Manprit Sarkaria

Yan Dhanda’s club career

Dhanda started his journey with Tipton Town before becoming a part of West Bromwich Albion’s youth setup. In 2013, after impressing the club scouts, the footballer was signed up by Liverpool FC, with whom he stayed for five years, playing in the Reds’ youth, U18, and U23 teams. The Premier League side paid roughly £200,000 to secure his services.

Though he played for Liverpool in Premier League 2, Yan failed to make it to the first team and eventually moved to Swansea City in 2018. The midfielder spent four seasons with the Swans, making 63 appearances and scoring five goals.

Following his stint in the English Championship, Dhanda was signed by Scottish club Ross County on a free transfer in 2022. In his two seasons with the club, the player made 79 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing 17 assists to his teammates.

Fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts FC signed Yan Dhanda on a three-year deal in June 2024. Chiefly playing as a left winger, the 26-year-old made 33 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist in his first season at the club.

Has Yan Dhanda played for England?

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A post shared by Yan Dhanda (@yandhanda)

While Yan has not represented the England national team at the senior level, he has played for the nation’s youth side. While at Liverpool FC, the player was picked up for England’s U16 and U17 teams.

Yan made two appearances for the England U16 team and four appearances for the England U17 team. The midfielder scored two goals in a friendly against Iceland U17 but couldn’t keep up his form and was not selected in England’s youth teams since August 2014.

Can Yan play for the Indian football team?

Yan’s grandparents on his father’s side were born in India, and hence he is of Indian descent. To add to this, he has not represented England’s senior team, hence not breaking the FIFA eligibility rule that dictates a player can only represent one national team at the senior level.

While Yan is a British citizen, he does hold an OCI card. He has already put forth his interest to represent the Blue Tigers in recent interviews. However, India’s laws currently do not allow OCI players to play for the national team unless they denounce their dual nationality.

Talks are going on actively to allow OCI players to represent the Indian football team. If and when the law changes, Yan Dhanda could instantly become available for selection once FIFA approves the change of association.

What would he bring to the table?

If he is allowed to play for the Indian football team, Yan will compete against Brandon Fernandes, Sahal Abdul Samad, Mohammed Yasir, and Imran Khan for the role of the central attacking midfielder (CAM).

Currently, Brandon Fernandes is the preferred choice with Sahal Abdul Samad right on the Goans’ heels. As per their recent stats on TransferLab compiled by Tanay Apte, points out that while Yan Dhanda is better at short passing and delivering quality passes into the box, the players are quite close in terms of stats.

Certainly, Yan Dhanda’s stats are taken from the Scottish Premiership, which displays a much higher quality of football compared to the Indian Super League. Hence, his addition will surely stir the pot, but the Hearts midfielder should not be expected to completely shoulder the job of creating chances.

Yan Dhanda: Profile

Name: Yan DhandaPlace of Birth: Tipton, EnglandCurrent Citizenship: EnglishHeight: 1.73m (5ft 9in)Position: Attacking Midfielder/ Left WingerPreferred Foot: Right-footed playerCurrent Club: Hearts of Midlothian FC /Hearts FC (Scottish Premiership)Contract Expires: 31st May 2027

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