Bijay Chhetri becomes first Indian footballer to sign a permanent contract with Latin American side
Colón is based in Montevideo and competes in the Segunda Division Profesional (second division) of Uruguay. The 23-year-old centre-back was on loan at the club from Chennaiyin FC last season and made his debut against La Luz in November 2024.
He became the second Indian to play in Latin America after Romeo Fernandes, who turned out for Atlético Paranaense on loan in 2015.
'Some officials of Colon FC have also been really supportive of my growth since the day I arrived from Chennaiyin FC last year on a loan and subsequently earned a permanent transfer with the club in January. I would like to make a special mention to them,' Chhetri wrote on social media.
ALSO READ: India beats Bangladesh on penalties to win SAFF U-19 Championship 2025
Chhetri, from Manipur, began his footballing career with Shillong Lajong in 2016 and made his senior debut with Indian Arrows in 2018.
Since then, he has played for clubs such as Chennai City, Real Kashmir and Sreenidi Deccan before joining Chennaiyin FC this season — his maiden ISL club.
At Colon, however, Chhetri played just 25 minutes last season and will look to improve on that this time around.
Related Topics
Chennaiyin FC /
Manipur
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Chhetri is not there as team playing a preparatory tournament, doors are open for him: Jamil
Newly-appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil on Sunday (August 17, 2025) cleared the air about the leaving out of talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri from the CAFA Nations Cup national camp, saying it was just a preparatory tournament for the crucial Asian Cup qualifying round matches in October. Jamil, who succeeded Manolo Marquez as India head coach earlier this month, on Friday named 35 probables for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Chhetri missing from the list. Jamil did not say in so many words but made it clear that Chhetri is expected to walk into the national team for the Asian Cup qualifying round matches against Singapore on October 9 (away) and October 14 (home). 'He [Chhetri] is not there in this camp because we are playing a tournament which will essentially serve as a preparation for our Asian Cup Qualifiers,' Jamil said on the second day of the national camp here. 'I also want to try out a few other players during this FIFA window. I had a talk with him about the same. It's always a pleasure to have a player like him in the team, and the door is always open for him. 'Sunil is a legend of Indian football. I have played against him, I've seen him play on numerous occasions, and he is one of my favourite players. He is a role model for Indian football," he said in a release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Placed in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup, India face co-host Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4. The third-place match and the final will be played on September 8 in Hisor and Tashkent (Uzbekistan), respectively. The national camp began on Saturday featuring 22 players while the remaining 13, who were doing club duties at the ongoing Durand Cup, are likely to join in a few days. The AIFF has urged all the clubs to release national team players for the tournament. The 41-year-old Chhetri took international retirement after playing against Kuwait in June last year but made a return for national duty in the match against Maldives in March this year following a request from Marquez to help the team in the Asian Cup qualifiers third round. Chhetri has played four matches since then and scored once -- in the 3-0 win over Maldives. India drew Bangladesh 0-0 and lost to Hong Kong 0-1 in the Asian Cup qualifiers, leaving the country in a difficult position to qualify for the continental showpiece in 2027. In between India lost 0-2 to Thailand in an international friendly. Marquez quit after the string of poor performance of the team. 'CAFA Nations Cup good opportunity to play against quality opponents' The CAFA Nations Cup will be 48-year-old Jamil's first international assignment, and Jamil said the central Asian tournament will be a good opportunity for his team to play against quality opponents. "This will be India's first-ever participation in the CAFA Nations Cup, and it will be a good opportunity for us to play against stronger and quality opponents like Tajikistan and Iran in CAFA Nations Cup. This will definitely be beneficial for us to prepare for AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. "There is absolutely no excuse for us, as we have enough time to prepare for it. We may be treating these as preparatory games, but this is serious business for us," he said. Tasked with turning the Blue Tigers' fortunes around, Jamil wants to take one step at a time. 'We must do the simple things first and go step by step. We are treating these matches as friendly games, but I want to take players who are fit. When I say fit, I mean, the players who will play must be 100% fit,' said Jamil. 'We started the camp with some players still not available, but we've got the players we need to begin our preparations. We had a good first training session yesterday [Saturday], but there's a lot to improve on. "The important thing is that we remain united as a team. For the national interest, we would like to request co-operation from clubs to release players on time, to ensure their adequate participation during the preparatory camp," he added. The former Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United coach said he needs time to adjust to the team. "The players also need time to adjust to me. My doors are always open to everybody. Whoever is doing well will be selected.' On his appointment as India head coach, Jamil said, 'It is my pleasure to serve the country. It has always been my dream to do this, and it has now come true, so that feels very good. "There is a big task ahead of us, and we've got many areas that we need to work on. I am fully aware how big a responsibility it is for me, but I feel thankful that the Federation (AIFF) felt me worthy to be entrusted with it.'
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Neeraj Chopra Qualifies For Diamond League 2025 Final In Zurich; Check Details
Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has secured his place in the men's javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2025 Final in Zurich, Switzerland, scheduled to be held on August 27 and 28. Neeeraj, a two-time Olympic medallist, did not compete in the Silesia Diamond League. However, with 15 points from two DL appearances this year, he has already made the cut for the grand finale, as per the latest standings released after the Silesia leg on Saturday. In his two Diamond League outings this season, the 27-year-old Chopra claimed win at the Paris leg with a throw of 88.16m after producing a national record-breaking 90.23m effort to finish behind Julian Weber of Germany in Doha. Notably, both Neeraj and Weber are tied on 15 points in second place while Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott leads the standings with 17 points from three events. Walcott, the London 2012 Olympic champion, finished second in Silesia with 82.54m. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters and Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil are also expected to make the cut for the grand finale in Zurich. Also Read: Neeraj Chopra Wins Paris Diamond League With Stunning 88.16m Throw, Levels With Julian Weber In Points Table Neeraj had won the Diamond League title in 2022 and was a runner-up in 2023 and 2024. However, he is yet to confirm his participation in the Zurich Diamond League Final. Chopra's last competition was at the NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5 when he threw 86.18m to win the title at the event he himself hosted. Moments of glory Medals shine bright at the Neeraj Chopra Classic! Rumesh takes bronze, Yego takes silver and Neeraj finishes first on the podium with a gold. Congratulations to all the winners!#NeerajChopraClassic #Javelin #GameofThrows — Neeraj Chopra Classic (@nc_classic) July 5, 2025 Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the Paris 2024 Olympics gold medallist, has skipped the Diamond League events this year.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Squash player Anahat Singh retires hurt in Bega Open final
Synopsis Young Indian squash player Anahat Singh faced disappointment at the NSW Squash Bega Open. She had to retire due to an injury during the final against Egyptian Habiba Hani. Singh initially won the first game but Hani came back strongly. The final score was 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-4 in favour of Hani. ANI Anahat Singh Young Indian squash player Anahat Singh was forced to retire hurt against her Egyptian opponent Habiba Hani in the final of the NSW Squash Bega Open, here on Sunday. The top-seeded 17-year-old Indian retired when she was trailing 1-2 and was down 4-10 in the fourth game against second seed Habiba Hani. The final scoreline read 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-4 retd in favour of the Egyptian. Anahat, playing her maiden World Events final, took the opening game 11-9 but Hani bounced back to win the next two 11-5 and 11-8. Anahat had overcome a strong challenge from Egypt's Nour Khafagy to enter the final on Saturday. The 17-year-old double Asian Games bronze medallist, who became the youngest Indian to win a medal in the continental showpiece, had won the gruelling semifinal 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) in 54 minutes.
