India's Sunil Chhetri to play for Sporting Lisbon
India's football captain Sunil Chhetri has signed up with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon to play in its second division soccer league.
Sunil Chhetri completed his contract with Indian club Mohun Bagan last season, scoring just five goals.
Sporting Lisbon's second division team has, in the past, produced stars such as Christiano Ronaldo, Nani and Figo.
Baichung Bhutia was the first Indian to play international club football, representing the English club FC Bury.
News of Chhetri's joining was announced by Sporting Lisbon on its website.
"We have reached out to Indian football, a market estimated by Fifa to contain more than 20 million fans. In this context, Sunil Chhetri, who is an idol in that country, will join the roster of the 'B' team," the statement said.
Chhetri said he was happy over the deal and that it was a "dream come true".