Exclusive: ISL side NorthEast United win race to sign Pramveer Singh

Highly-rated Indian international chooses Highlanders despite interest from multiple ISL clubs

NorthEast United FC have won the race to sign highly rated defender Pramveer Singh, with the India international set to join the Highlanders after turning down interest from several other Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, Khel Now can exclusively reveal.

The left-footed centre-back became one of the most sought-after Indian players in the market after his contract with Punjab FC expired at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Sources indicate that multiple ISL clubs explored a move for the 18-year-old, but NorthEast United ultimately convinced the defender to make Guwahati his next destination.

“Pramveer Singh, who was wanted by three ISL teams, has chosen NorthEast United. Playing time was a major factor in his decision. Both parties have agreed on a three-year contract and the paperwork will be completed soon,” a source tracking the transfer told Khel Now.

The move is another statement of intent from NorthEast United, who continue to invest heavily in young Indian talent under head coach Juan Pedro Benali.

Rapid rise through the national team ranks

Pramveer’s rise over the last three years has been one of the fastest in Indian football.

The defender has represented India at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels before recently making the jump to the senior national team.

Earlier this month, he made his senior India debut against Tajikistan, becoming the latest youth international to break into the Blue Tigers setup.

His development has also been closely linked with NorthEast United assistant coach Naushad Moosa, who worked with him during his time with the India U-23 side.

Although India narrowly missed out on qualification for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, Pramveer emerged from the campaign with his reputation enhanced after a series of assured performances in defence.

From Punjab FC academy to ISL prospect

Pramveer first came into the spotlight at the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup before continuing his development in Punjab FC’s youth setup.

He continued his impressive form in the Indian Youth League and later played every minute of Punjab’s successful Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) campaign in 2024, helping the club lift the title.

He was quickly promoted to the senior squad, and he made history when he started against Mohun Bagan at just 17 years and 189 days old, becoming the youngest starter in ISL history.

During the 2025-26 season, he featured in 13 matches across all competitions, scoring once while continuing to establish himself as one of the country’s most promising young defenders.

Why NorthEast United moved quickly

NorthEast United’s interest in Pramveer had been building for several months.

The club sees the defender as a long-term investment and believes that regular game time under Benali’s coaching staff can further accelerate his development.

Benali has built a reputation for improving young players during his time in India, and NorthEast United will hope Pramveer follows a similar trajectory.

For the player, the decision appears to have been driven as much by opportunity as ambition.

Several clubs were willing to offer him a bigger contract. In the end, NorthEast United offered something equally important– a clear pathway to minutes on the pitch.

And for a teenager who has already climbed through every age-group level of Indian football, that may have been the deciding factor.

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