ISL 2017/18: India U17 keeper Dheeraj Singh training with Kerala Blasters ahead of foreign trials, says agent
What's the story?
In a surprising development, India U-17 goalkeeper and former Indian Arrows man Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem was spotted in the stands at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Delhi wearing a Kerala Blasters kit.
The team from Kerala are taking on the Delhi Dynamos in their ISL 2017/18 clash and the goalkeeper, who was hailed as India's hero from their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign, was seen wearing the Blasters' upper at the stadium, further fuelling speculation about his future.
However, his agent Anuj Kichlu has confirmed to Sportskeeda that the youngster is with the club for a temporary training stint. He said, "It's a three-week stint for Dheeraj with Kerala, after which he will leave for the foreign trials. This training period is for keeping his fitness."
In case you didn't know
The lanky keeper was part of the Indian Arrows team in the ongoing I-League campaign but did not extend his contract with the developmental side, which ended on December 31 last year and thus is free to sign for any other club at the moment.
The heart of the matter
The lad from Manipur was expected to go to foreign shores for trials, with a number of sides lined up for Dheeraj. Scottish top division side Motherwell were among the earliest teams linked to the keeper but English sides Blackburn Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Premier League team West Ham United have also been reported to have shown interest in him.
In December, Dheeraj's agent had said that his client had rejected advances from a number of ISL sides as his focus remained on securing a move abroad.
What's next?
As stated earlier, the keeper is set to proceed for his foreign trials after three weeks, once his training period with the Blasters comes to an end.
Author's take
Such a move makes sense for Dheeraj, as he aims to maintain his fitness ahead of the all-important trials lined up.