Exclusive: Slovakian third division side MFK Lokomotiva Zvolen sign Indian youngster Vinay Singh

The 20-year-old was a part of ARA FC's 2nd Division I-League campaign in the 2018-19 season.

Hailing from Gurgaon, 20-year-old centre-back Vinay Singh, has signed a one-year contract with Slovakian third division side MFK Lokomotiva Zvolen, Khel Now can exclusively reveal. The youngster played for ARA FC in the 2nd Division I-League last season.

Apart from playing in the 2nd Division I-League, the starlet has prior experience of playing for Madhya Bharat SC and ATK B team.

Singh, who was the vice-captain of the team ahead of many experienced players at the tender age of 19 years, took plaudits for his display in the league last season. ARA head coach, Vivek Nagul Kumar described him as a “warrior at the back” for his defensive qualities.

Khel Now caught up with the young player in an exclusive chat where he spoke about the quality of the Slovakian league by saying, “The league here is very tough as compared to the I-League 2nd Division in India. The players here are very strong and tough in all footballing aspects."

He went on to add, “I’ve played the full 90 minutes in a friendly last weekend which was a good experience, but it was a lot of work to match these players. I know I’ll make it through, I just need to be focused and determined about improving.”

“A sports agency from India (TRP Sports) helped me in my move here, initially through a 15-day trial. I worked very hard in trials and then the club decided to offer me a contract for a year,” he explained.

The Slovakian third division has 16 teams playing in each of the four zonal groups. The Zvolen-based side are currently placed third in the Central Zone, having won four games out of a possible six.

Vinay then spoke about the difficulties of settling in Slovakia as he quipped, “At first it was really hard to accept all these things, as they don’t speak English and communication is the biggest problem here, but I’m settling down. It’s been a month now and I think I might start the game next weekend.”

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“The players are so advanced compared to us, but we are growing really fast in football. We started putting our focus on youth since past couple of years and I would personally suggest that if you get an opportunity to play abroad, just go out and learn and come back as a better player and teach what you’ve learnt abroad, “Singh asserted.

He also expressed his wish to play for the country one day and said, “Any player has a prior dream to play for his country and I am no exception. My only dream is to play in that blue jersey and sing the national anthem in the middle of the field between thousands of people,” he concluded.