Namit Deshpande, a US-based NRI has been added to the Indian U17 squad for trials. The Indian youngsters are currently on an exposure tour to Europe.
The AIFF had launched a global scouting programme named SAI–AIFF Overseas Scouting Project (OSP) for the U17 World Cup, which the country is hosting later this year in October.
Speaking to Sportskeeda over the phone, Abhishek Yadav, the head of scouting for the Indian team said, "This is our first major success as a scouting unit as we tried and tested a number of boys from across the world. We are hoping for two more boys will give trials soon. Namit really impressed the coach and I'm hoping we can contribute more talent in the coming months."
The New Jersey-based boy who is originally from Mumbai had earlier travelled with the team under the then coach Nicolai Adam to Brazil for an exposure trip. Plying his trade a centre-back, the youngster had impressed Adam with his performances earlier.
However, he has had to prove his worth to new coach Luis de Matos took charge of the team last month. And he did exactly that, impressing the coach with his skills over a four-day period when he was asked to join the camp under the new Portuguese head in Goa.
A source close to the situation revealed to Sportskeeda, “He has been on our radar for some time now. He had come down to India earlier this month and after impressing the coach, he will be joining the team in Portugal in a few week’s time.”
Deshpande, who has been living in the US since 2006 is likely to join the Blue Colts early next month after handing in his school assignments in his school.
