I-League: Bengaluru FC show interest in India youth international Uttam Rai

I-League leaders Bengaluru FC have shown interest in signing India youth international Uttam Rai, Sportskeeda can reveal.

The 17-year-old striker came into the limelight after getting a six-month training stint at USA’s Colorado Rush Academy back in 2012. He has represented India at various age group levels and is currently part of the under-19 squad under Colm Toal.

If the deal goes through this season then Uttam is likely to be a part of Bengaluru’s under-19 team that will feature in the rest of India zone qualifiers of the U-19 I-League in April.

On Tuesday Uttam represented India U-19 against Bengaluru in a friendly at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Ashley Westwood’s side won 4-0 with Robin Singh scoring a hattrick and Karan Sawhney netting the other. Uttam featured in the second half for the India colts.

Five-time Indian champions Dempo have also shown interest in the highly-rated teenager and now it remains to be seen which club he signs for.

Born in Chumbong, West Sikkim, Uttam’s most notable performance came in the 2012 Under-16 Asian Cup qualifiers, where his six goals helped India reach the final rounds.

The Fernando Torres fan also had a stint at the IMG Academy in Florida and was adjudged the ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ there in 2011. In 2012 he became the youngest Indian sports athlete to be sponsored by Nike.