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Indian midfielder Renedy Singh has joined Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on loan for the rest of the season. Currently contracted to Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters, the Manipuri will join the Bulgarian outfit immediately.
CSKA Sofia competes in the A Football Group – the top division of Bulgarian football. They are currently top of the table with 44 points from 19 matches, leading Ludogorets, who played in the UEFA Champions League this season alongside Real Madrid, Liverpool and Basel, by 3 points.
He becomes the first-ever Indian to sign for a club in Bulgaria. Apart from playing for the European team, the 35-year-old will also learn the basics of coaching under new coach Stoycho Mladenov.
Renedy Singh expressed his delight after completing the move. He said, “I am very happy to be here and sign for CSKA Sofia! It is a big club with a lot of history and pedigree.
“Back home in India people will mainly know Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov for his time at FC Barcelona. He is a former CSKA player and coach or former EPL players Stiliyan Petrov and Martin Petrov, also players who have played here.
“But also take club coach Stoycho Mladenov, who is a CSKA legend and someone with a lot of experience as a player and coach not only here in Bulgaria but also for his years in Portugal. This gives me a chance to work and learn from him.”
I want to learn the nuances of coaching: Renedy Singh
Renedy has represented India 72 times, netting 12 goals in the process. He has played for top clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal apart from Chirag United, JCT, United Sikkim and Shillong Lajong. His latest stint came in the ISL with Kerala Blasters, who he helped reach the finals.
He also revealed why he chose CSKA Sofia and thanked a few of his friends, who helped him make this move possible for him.
He revealed, “After the end of the Indian Super League, I wanted an opportunity to play and also learn the nuances of coaching. This is being made possible by coach Stoycho Mladenov and the club, whom I would like to thank for this great opportunity!
“Also a big thank you to football and friends, Rui Gomes, Nuno Mousinho Esteves and Arunava Chaudhuri, who made this exposure in Europe possible for me,” he concluded.
Renedy has begun training with his new team after completing all the paperwork and meeting up with his new teammates.
