Sandesh Jhingan will become the first India international footballer to play in the Croatian top-tier league Prva HNL after completing a move from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK Sibenik.
Named India’s footballer of the year last month, the 28-year-old is already in Croatia and watched Sunday’s home win against Hrvatski Dragovoljac.
“We expect good things from him as we have followed him on different platforms where we were able to see his past performances,” said Francisco Cardona, CEO of HNK Sibenik.
Jhingan was excited to have the opportunity to move to HNK Sibenik in the Prva HNL in Croatia.
“I think I am at a stage of my career where I really want to test myself in the highest-level possible and I think this is the perfect platform for me. As I have said, it has been my desire to play in Europe and I have taken up this challenge upon myself,” the top defender said.
“We are very happy that Sandesh is with us. We know he will help us achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves during the season. His stint here will help him grow as a player and person,” said HNK Sibenik coach Mario Rosas.
Jhingan started his youth career at St Stephen’s Football Academy in Chandigarh and got a break in the top division with United Sikkim in 2011.
Sandesh, as a young 21-year-old footballer first broke into prominence during the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League when he was adjudged the Emerging Player of the League in 2014. A feat that helped him earn a place in the senior India national team making his debut in 2015 against Nepal at the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
The defender has two ISL runners-up medals with Kerala Blasters FC where he spent six years and moved to ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020 after missing the previous season due to injury.