File photo of Bijay Chhetri.
Indian defender Bijay Chhetri has been loaned to Uruguayan football club Colon FC until the end of the year, his Indian Super League (ISL) club Chennaiyin FC announced on Wednesday. Chhetri thus became the first Indian footballer to sign for a Latin American club. Colon is based in Montevideo, while the club plays in the country’s Segunda Division Professional (second division), where it currently sits third in the Group B standings. “I feel so excited to get this opportunity for the new challenge in my professional career. I hope to put in good performances to improve my game, repay the faith Colon FC has shown in me and keep the Indian flag flying high,” Bijay said in a press release.
“I am very aware that if I get it right, it could pave the way for future Indian players to also move abroad into these markets.” 22-year-old Bijay from Manipur started his football career with Shillong Lajong in 2016 and made his first appearance with Indian Arrows in 2018.
He has since played for clubs like Chennai City, Real Kashmir and Sreenidi Deccan before joining CFC, his first ISL club, this season.
CFC co-owner Vita Dani wished Bijay the best of luck on his move to Colon, saying: “We are extremely proud to see Bijay making his way to one of the world’s greatest footballing nations. Uruguay will forever be in the history of football inscribed with four stars on the chest as winners of two Olympic gold medals in 1924 and 1928, the first World Cup in 1930 and then in Brazil in 1950.
“And Colon Futbol Club is part of that legacy; founded even before the first World Cup. I wish Bijay all the best, and we all hope for his success as he makes history as the first Indian player to secure a contract with a Latin American club.”
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