Sandeep Singh pens new multi-year deal at Kerala Blasters

The Manipuri defender impressed everyone with his versatility in ISL 2020-21.

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Kerala Blasters have handed Sandeep Singh a new multi-year deal, Khel Now can confirm. The defender had originally penned an extension till the end of the 2021-22 season in February, but this new deal will now see him remain with the club till 2025.

"Sandeep Singh has signed a new four-year extension on his term at Kerala Blasters," a source close to the developments informed Khel Now. The 26-year-old was one of the few players who performed well for the Yellow Army in ISL 2020-21.

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Sandeep Singh's career so far

A defender by trade, Sandeep began his professional career with Shillong Lajong, initially playing for their youth teams. He was promoted to the club's senior side in 2014 and remained with them for the next four seasons. During this period, he also represented Sagolband United and TRAU FC on short-term loan deals. In August 2018, ATK signed Sandeep but let him leave for TRAU on a free transfer just five months later.

It was at TRAU that the Manipur-based player started making a real impact. He also captained the side in a few games, as the Imphal outfit won the Second Division League, there by earning promotion to the I-League.

In 2019-20, Sandeep represented TRAU in the I-League until the season got cancelled due to COVID-19. Overall, he made 40 appearances for them across two seasons, before joining Kerala Blasters last summer. At the Kochi-based club, Sandeep Singh initially found starting XI chances hard to come by. But, he did not have to wait for long, as injuries and below-par performances of Costa Nhamoinesu and Bakary Kone paved the way for the centre-back to start against Hyderabad FC.

Consistent performances at the back resulted in the defender consolidating his position in the starting XI. Later in the season, then head coach Kibu Vicuna also played him as a right-back in a few games following Nishu Kumar's injury.

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Overall, Sandeep Singh clocked 1150 minutes across 14 games in ISL 2020-21. He also made 448 passes, registered an assist and averaged 3.64 tackles, 1.14 interceptions, 3.21 clearances and 1.57 blocks per game.

Kerala Blasters' pre-season preparations

Kerala Blasters had a dismal 2020-21 season, finishing second from bottom in the ISL after winning just three out of 20 matches. They are currently in the works of identifying a new head coach, after parting ways with Vicuna in February.

The Yellow Army have already signed Vincy Barretto and Harmanjot Khabra as reported by Khel Now and talks are going on with a few other players as well. They also recently handed full-back Denechandra Meitei a new long-term contract.

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