Bengaluru: Ishan Pandita from the Garden City has become the first football player from India to sign a professional contract with a Spanish La Liga club.
The 18-year-old Bengaluru lad has inked a one-year deal with newly promoted side Club Deportivo Leganes, who are 11th in La Liga. He was given the `No. 50′ blue-and-white striped home jersey by club vice-president and owner, Felipe Moreno, at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque stadium in Leganes.
Though he has signed with the main team, Ishan will begin by turning out for the club’s U-19 squad. Late last year, Ishan had joined the U-18 team of Spanish Segunda Division (second division) club UD Almeria for an eight-month stint. Since he hadn’t turned 18 then, he couldn’t sign a professional contract.
The young, talented striker’s stint in Spain began with Alcobendas CF in Madrid, a feeder club for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. “What impressed us most about Ishan were his physical attributes and ability to score goals,” academy director Jorge Broto Benavente said. “It’s too early to say when he will break into the main team -he is a young player, a rough diamond to be worked on.”
Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia hailed Ishan Pandita after the Bengaluru boy became the first Indian to get a professional contract from a La Liga club “I haven’t seen him play as he has never played in India. Nonetheless I would take this opportunity to congratulate him for his achievement. Bagging a contract with a La Liga team is no mean feat,” Bhutia told over phone on Wednesday.
Leganes, a club located on the outskirts of Madrid, got promotion to Spain’s top division football this season. They are currently placed 11th in the league table.
AIFF Senior Vice-President Subrata Dutta said this will inspire Indian clubs to produce more such players who can play in Europe. “This is a fantastic achievement, to be playing in the Spanish League. This is a proud moment for us. I hope Indian clubs will produce more such talents who can go on to play in Europe and improve the standard of Indian football,” Dutta said.
Besides Leganes, Getafe had also shown interest in signing the Indian striker who has Kashmiri roots. But Getafe’s relegation from the top division after last season allowed Pandita to choose Leganes as his destination.
