Bengaluru FC retain Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh ahead of ISL debut

Ahead of their debut season in the Indian Super League, Bengaluru FC have retained the services of Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh for the next three years

Bengaluru FC have retained skipper Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh for the next three years till the end of 2019-20 season of the Indian Super League.

Sunil Chhetri has been a key figure at Bengaluru FC since the club was founded in 2014.(AFP/Getty Images)

With the signings, Bengaluru FC have ticked off the ISL’s rule of a maximum of two retentions for players over 21 years, the club announced on Friday.

“We are thrilled at being able to retain the present and the future of Indian football in Sunil and Udanta. The two of them have been immense for Bengaluru FC and will be vital cogs in our wheel as we take on the challenge of rebuilding the club for what will be a tough season ahead,” said club CEO Parth Jindal.

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Chhetri, 32, has been with Bengaluru for four seasons, finishing top scorer for the Blues every year.

Udanta, meanwhile, joined Bengaluru in the 2014-15 season and has only grown from strength to strength. The 21-year-old from Manipur capped off a fantastic season under Albert Roca last year, where he played a key role in the club’s Federation Cup triumph.

Udanta was also named Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Season at the club’s annual awards night earlier this month.

“I’ve always been vocal about how Bengaluru FC is a club that is always close to my heart and I couldn’t be happier to commit three years to the blue shirt of BFC. The Bengaluru FC fans have always shown me so much of love and I am glad at the prospect of playing in front of them yet again.

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“With Bengaluru in the ISL, these are exciting times at the club and I’m sure we will build the best possible squad for the season,” said Chhetri, who with 54 goals is also the top scorer for the national team.

Udanta also expressed happiness at extending his stay with Bengaluru.

“I’ve progressed and learnt so much in the three years that I’ve been with Bengaluru FC and I’m looking forward to giving the club and its fans three of my best years to come. It’s also reassuring to have Sunil bhai with me here and I’m confident we will be fighting for trophies like we always do,” said Udanta.