Indian footballer Manandeep Singh earns a trial at Norwegian club Strommen IF
Indian striker, Manandeep Singh is set for a three-week trial period at Norwegian club Strommen IF that is set to begin in July, according to Firstpost. Manandeep Singh played for Delhi Dynamos last year in the inaugural season of ISL.
He made only two appearances for the club and got injured later. Hence, he was forced to miss the entire 2014/15 I-League season but is now fully fit and eager to give his best in Norway.
"I'm completely fit and raring to prove myself. I'm happy and focused and can't wait to get on the pitch after five to six months, " Mandeep told Firstpost.
"There are nine foreigners allowed in the squad, and the coach has told me that he is looking for a young energetic forward to add to his squad. I am hoping I can make this a permanent move," he told Goal.com, as reported by International Business Times.
The 22-year-old disclosed that his deal with the Norwegian club was done in January but due to his injury, he had to postpone his trials.
Manandeep added, "The deal was done in January but due to my injury I couldn't join. I informed the coach and he allowed me to give my trials later."
Apart from Delhi Dynamos, he has also played for Pailan Arrows, East Bengal, Rangdajied United and Air India in the I-League. He has represented India at the U16, U19 and U23 levels and made his senior debut for India in February 2012 against Oman.
Delhi Dynamos haven’t retained Mannandeep and thus, he will be included in the ISL 2015 domestic player draft and if picked by a franchise, he will come back to play in the second edition of ISL.
"The club knows that I am part of the ISL draft and will allow me to return to India for it even if the trial is successful. Then I can go back to Norway in January (2016), when the leagues start there," Manandeep was quoted as saying via Firstpost.
Manandeep follows in the footsteps of fellow Indian Gurpreet Singh
The striker is looking to emulate 23-year-old Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who joined Norwegian side Stabaek in August 2014. Gurpreet became the first Indian player to feature in the top flight of a European league when he started for Stabaek against Runar in a Norwegian Cup game.
However, if Manandeep secures a deal with Strommen IF, he will not participate in the Tippeligaen league as his former East Bengal teammate Gurpreet, since Strommen IF plays in the first division.