Sandesh Jhingan turns highest-paid Indian defender

Kerala Blasters FC have retained central defender Sandesh Jhingan as their second senior player ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season. The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned outfit then continued talks with Sandesh Jhingan and have finally managed to agree terms with the Chandigarh-born player, thereby Blasters have retained two fan favorites.

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Sandesh Jhingan has been an integral part of the Kerala Blasters set up since the inaugural edition of the ISL where he made his bones after being named the Emerging Player of the Year. His stock has been on the rise ever since and he has helped the Tuskers reach the ISL finals twice in three years.

The 23-year-old, one of Indian national team's first choice defenders, played on loan for Bengaluru FC in the recently concluded domestic season and helped the Blues win the Federation Cup. The Blasters fans will be hoping Jhingan can finally land a trophy while donning a yellow shirt.

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It has also been reliably learnt that the versatile defender has penned a three-year deal with the Blasters worth a handsome sum of ₹3.8 crores. The lucrative deal sees Sandesh Jhingan become India's highest paid defender.

Club career

Years              Team                                    Apps(Gls)

2011–2013    United Sikkim                         10(0)

2013–2014    Mumbai                                  11(0)

2014-             Kerala Blasters FC                41(0)

2015              Sporting Goa (loan)                11(1)

2016              DSK Shivajians (loan)            7(0)

2017              Bengaluru FC (loan)               11(1)

National team

2014–2016     India U23                               6(0)

2015–             India                                      16(4)

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