SANDESH JHINGAN COMPLETED his move from ATK Mohun Bagan to HNK Sibenik on Wednesday. The India international underwent a medical test with the Croatian top-tier club on Tuesday.
Jhingan is set to ply his trade for the European club after spending the last season with Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan.
The centre back had signed a five-year contract with the Kolkata football giants last year. He, however, activated a clause that allowed him to terminate the contract and join the European club.
“We are very happy to have Sandesh with us. We expect good things from him as we have followed him on different platforms where we were able to see his past performances. Although we know the adaptation process might take him a few weeks, we are confident that with his quality and leadership, he will become an important member of the team,” said Francisco Cardona, CEO of HNK Sibenik.
Named All India Football Federation (AIFF) men’s footballer of the year 2020-21 last month, Jhingan had travelled early to Croatia and watched Sibenik’s home win against Hrvatski Dragovoljac on Sunday. “He made a very good impression on the staff and fans of the club when he was watching the last home game from the stands. He showed passion and energy for the team,” said Cardona.
“I have nothing but a big thank you to say to everyone involved at ATK Mohun Bagan. The last year was my comeback from injury and it turned out to be one of my best years and it was all because of my brother like teammates and coach Antonio Habas, his staff and coach Sanjay sen who all motivated me and pushed me to improve every day and I will be thankful for what they all have done for me in this past year,” Jhingan posted on Twitter.
“Mr Goenka and all the Management Members have been very supportive and they know although this decision means one player less for them it means one fan more for them as I will always be a fan for the way the club is run. A big thank you to the fans who supported me who make this beautiful club what it is and all the best to the team AFC Cup starting today and Indian Super League,” he added.
Jhingan, 28, joins the club having made 42 appearances for the national team. He had made his professional debut on October 6, 2012, for United Sikkim in I-League and moves away from Indian club football after almost two decades of experience.
Jhingan started his youth career at St. Stephen’s Football Academy in Chandigarh before debuting in the top division with United Sikkim in 2011. In 2014, Sandesh, then 21 was adjudged as the ‘Emerging player of the league’ in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League. After that, he soon cemented his place in the national team. The defender has two ISL runners-up medals with Kerala Blasters FC where he spent six years and another with ATK Mohun Bagan, who he joined in 2020.
