India striker Manandeep gets called up for trial by Norwegian club

Norwegian football club Strommen IF has called up India striker Manandeep Singh for a three week training/trial stint that will begin on 8 July

The 22-year-old Manandeep has been out of action with a back strain he picked up in January but said he is back to full fitness. “I’m completely fit and raring to prove myself,” Mandeep told Firstpost. “I’m happy and focussed and can’t wait to get on the pitch after five to six months.

The 22-year-old Manandeep has appeared for the Indian national side in two games and turned out for Delhi Dynamos in last season’s Indian Super League, though he failed to score in the two matches he played.

He has also played for Pailan Arrows, East Bengal, Rangdajied United and Air India in the I-League, where he has scored 16 goals in 60 appearances.

The Haryana-born Manandeep has also appeared for India U-16, U-19 and U-23 teams before making his senior debut in 2012. He was not retained by Delhi and will be part of the ISL draft that will be held on 10 July.

Manandeep’s move was finalised back in January but his injury stopped him from making the move immediately. However, the club are back for him, which bodes well for the striker.

“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 said.

If Manandeep is signed to a deal, he will follow in the footsteps of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who also plays in Norway, but Manandeep will play one division lower — in the OBOS-Ligaen. In April this year, Gurpreet became the first Indian player to appear for a club in the top flight of a foreign league.