How Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's historic journey paved the way for Indian footballers in Europe
Indian football has had its fair share of stars, but only a few have dared to dream beyond the borders. One name that stands tall—literally and figuratively—is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. India's No. 1 goalkeeper and the only Indian to have played in the UEFA Europa League, Gurpreet has paved the way for future generations to believe in making it big on foreign soil. As he turns 33 on February 3, 2025, let's look at his incredible journey from a small town in Punjab to European football and back.
India Goal Keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wore the East Bengal jersey for a long period in the first two decades of 21st century. A custodian who started as a rookie but developed into the finest in the country was brilliant in the air ,anticipation and restarting attacks pic.twitter.com/RCsJQQWnUw
— Gautam Roy (@gautamfootball) June 28, 2020
Born in Chamkaur Sahib, Punjab, Gurpreet's football journey began at St. Stephen's Academy in Chandigarh. His talent between the posts was evident early on, earning him a spot in Punjab's youth teams. In 2009, he took his first major step by signing with East Bengal, where he made his senior debut soon after. His performances in the I-League and AFC Cup caught attention, and in 2014, he took a bold leap by signing with Norwegian club Stabaek. With this move, he became only the fifth Indian footballer to play in Europe, but he wasn't content with just making up the numbers.
Gurpreet's defining moment came on June 30, 2017. He became the first Indian footballer to play in a UEFA Europa League match, representing Stabaek against Welsh side Connah's Quay Nomads in a qualifier. It was a proud moment for Indian football, but his night was cut short by a hand injury in the 28th minute. Despite the setback, his name was forever etched as the only Indian to play in a European club competition's main draw.
Felt great to get a start and a clean sheet for the First Team last night in the Cup Game with @Stabaek #IndianFootball #HardWorkPaysOff pic.twitter.com/ARDcr7mLZm
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) April 27, 2017
His three years in Norway were crucial for his development. Gurpreet made 11 first-team appearances and played over 50 games for the reserve side. He even captained Stabaek on a few occasions—an extraordinary feat for an Indian footballer in Europe. His time in Norway helped him refine his game—stronger in aerial duels, sharper in distribution, and more commanding in defence. One of his standout performances came in a 5-0 win over IK Start, where he kept a clean sheet. His European experience made him an indispensable asset for the Indian national team under coach Stephen Constantine.
There's only 1⃣ Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. 🏆#IndianFootball #Champions #SAFFChampionship2023 pic.twitter.com/PhvUqUbwmh
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 4, 2023
In 2017, Gurpreet returned to India, signing for Bengaluru FC. His arrival immediately bolstered BFC's squad and quickly made him their first-choice goalkeeper. His AFC Cup debut and ISL performances were nothing short of stellar. He led BFC to the ISL final in his first season, though they finished runners-up. The following season, he played a crucial role in BFC's 2018-19 ISL triumph, keeping seven clean sheets. His consistency earned him the Golden Glove in the 2019-20 season with 11 clean sheets. Over the years, he has donned the captain's armband multiple times, showcasing his leadership both on and off the pitch.
🚨 | Eliteserien club FC Stabaek (Norway top-division) had offered Gurpreet Singh Sandhu a deal to return and become their No.1 in Jan earlier this year, they wanted him in Norway by Feb. After careful consideration GSS decided to stay at BFC for another 5 years. [@KhelNow] 😳❌ pic.twitter.com/2HL89ahXqu
— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) July 5, 2023
Despite his success in India, Gurpreet had another opportunity to return to Europe. In 2023, Norwegian club Stabaek wanted him back as their first-choice goalkeeper. But Gurpreet chose to stay. At the time, Bengaluru FC was in the ISL playoffs race, and he didn't want to leave mid-season. He also prioritised playing in the Hero Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship with the Indian team. Instead of making the move, he signed a five-year contract extension with BFC, committing his future to the club until 2029.
Gurpreet has been India's No. 1 goalkeeper since 2015, earning over 50 caps for the national team. His most iconic moment? The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Qatar, where he made 11 heroic saves to secure a 0-0 draw against the Asian champions. He has captained India multiple times and played a key role in SAFF Championship victories. His presence in goal has been a source of confidence for the team, and his performances continue to inspire the next generation of Indian goalkeepers.
