Thinley Namgay 

Lone Bhutanese international player, Chencho Gyeltshen (CG7) will leave for Kolkata, India on October 30 to play for his new club RoundGlass Punjab FC in the upcoming I-League season.

RoundGlass Punjab FC had signed the 24-year-old striker for a two-year contract.

All the foreign players signed by the club will join the squad on November 1. The club described him as a goal machine with a market value of Rupee 1.25 crore.

Chencho Gyeltshen said, “I’m worried that if there are not enough passengers, the flight may be cancelled. Considering the Covid-19 situation I’m going alone.”

I-league is scheduled to begin in the first week of December at Kolkata with eleven clubs.

“I’m eager to join the squad. It depends on the coach whether I will play as a winger or striker. I am comfortable with all these positions,” said Chencho.

“Environment is completely different out there. Everything is done in a professional way and timing is strict. Players really understand how challenging it is to be a professional player,” he said.

Currently, Chencho Gyeltshen is playing for Paro FC in the BoB Bhutan Premier League. His contract expires in December.

“There is an understanding that the club will allow me to go any time in case of any offer from foreign countries. Paro FC has been playing well but it is better outside,” CG7 said.

Chencho is the leading scorer in the first round of this season’s BoB Bhutan Premier league with 10 goals.

There will be no deduction in his salary as a national player and he would be allowed to return home during international matches.

Chencho’s debut as a professional player began when he signed a two-year contract with Surin City FC, a second division football club of Buriram United FC, a professional football club in Thailand in 2015 followed by Satun FC in the same country.

He also played for Chittagong Abahani FC in Bangladesh, Minerva Punjab FC, Bengaluru FC and Neroca FC in India.

CG7 played a critical role in Minerva Punjab FC’s win in the I-league and won the best forward award during the 2017-2018 season. He also won the 2018-2019 ISL championship title in his debut with Bengaluru FC.

Chencho said that he was trying his best to get similar opportunities for other Bhutanese players. “After I joined Minerva Punjab FC, five players were called for trial in India but were not selected. Still, our footballers and coaches are getting opportunities which is a good trend.”

He said that football was developing in the country, however, players have to work hard with a sense of professionalism.

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