Sandesh Jhingan gestures during a match. File

Gulf Today Report

India’s Sandesh Jhingan became the first Indian international footballer to ink deal with Croatian top-tier league Prva HNL’s HNK Sibenik on Wednesday.

The departure was confirmed by Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB), which signed him in 2020.

The Indian centreback, who is the reigning Indian footballer of the year, undertook a medical test with HNK Sibenik on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old with 40 caps, who gained recognition during his six- year stay at Kerala Blaster, has played a vital role in ATK Mohun Bagan reaching the ISL final last season after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered in 2019.

Jhingan’s new team Sibenik is currently on the eighth place in the ongoing Croatian League season after five matches.

“I am really thankful to everyone at Mohun Bagan, who helped me in bouncing back from the injury last year and turning it out to be one of my best playing year, it was all possible because of my team-mates and my coach Antonio Habas, who helped me to improve day by day," tweeted Jhingan.

"All the management members also have been very supportive," he concluded.