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In a historic moment for Indian football, 23-year-old defender Bijay Chhetri made his debut for Uruguay's Colon FC, contributing to a 5-0 victory over La Luz FC. This historic occurrence has catapulted Chhetri to prominence, making him only the second Indian player to play in a South American league. Chhetri's second-half debut was a reason for excitement among Indian football supporters, as he showed notable composure and strong defensive techniques that enabled his team to retain their stunning control.
Notably, Romeo Fernandes was the first Indian player to participate in a South American league, making his debut for Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense in the Campeonato Paranaense against Nacional PR in the local state championship in 2015.
We envision him as a strong first-team asset: Colon FC Director reacts on Bijay Chhetri’s inclusion
Chhetri's debut in the squad is nothing short of an achievement. South America, the birthplace of football, is home to some of the most competitive leagues in the world. Chhetri's ability to break into this setup demonstrates his talent and determination. Chhetri, who hails from Manipur, a state famed for its football passion, polished his skills in domestic events before catching the notice of foreign scouts. His move to Colon FC earlier this year was a big step forward, and his debut is the first tangible payoff for his hard work.
Marcelo Rifas, Colon FC’s Director, expressed confidence in Chhetri’s debut, adding, 'Upon reviewing Bijay's profile and alongside reference checks, we grew increasingly optimistic about his potential. We eagerly hope he can integrate into our squad soon. We envision him as a strong first-team asset, and this also allows us to tap into a new player marketplace.'
Speaking of Chhetri's football career, the 23-year-old began his professional journey with Shillong Lajong U-16 team. He spent two years with Lajong before joining Indian Arrows in the 2018-19 I-League season. However, injury prevented him from playing a single match for AIFF's developmental team. Chhetri then joined Chennai City FC in 2019 and made his debut against Aizawl FC during the same season. He then played for Real Kashmir for two seasons, 2020-21 and 2021-22, before joining Sreenidhi Deccan in 2022-23.
