Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri has extended his current contract with the club, signing a one-year deal which keeps him with the side till the end of the 2020-21 season. The Indian forward capped a brilliant individual 2017-18 campaign, when he was recently awarded the '2017 AIFF Player of the Year', owing to his performances in the Hero Indian Super League and for the national side.

A stellar campaign

Chhetri has been with Bengaluru FC for the past five years and currently stands as the club’s highest goal-scorer with 71 goals from 144 appearances. In their debut season in the Hero ISL, Bengaluru finished as runners-up to Chennaiyin FC. Chhetri was a pivotal figure in the side, given his unparalleled abilities on the pitch and his leadership skills. The 33-year-old registered 14 goals and two assists during the 2017-18 campaign, his best return in the league. Despite losing out in the final, he was adjudged as the ‘Hero of the League’.

Chhetri bagged more honors at the inaugural Hero Super Cup in April of this year. The dynamic forward scored six goals in the tournament and guided his side to victory in the final against Hero I-League side East Bengal. The international stage brought more glory to Chhetri as he scored eight goals in four games for India during the Hero Intercontinental Cup in June. India eventually won the four-nation tournament with Chhetri being awarded the ‘Hero of the Tournament.’

More accolades on the cards

In a press-release by Bengaluru FC, Chhetri spoke of his experience with the club and the fans, “I have always said that this club and its fans have been the most fantastic experience of my life and signing a new deal here is only a way of giving back to a club that has given so much to me. I’ve made some fantastic memories here and I believe there are many more to make.” 

The Indian legend will be hoping to clinch the Hero ISL trophy in the upcoming season after narrowly missing out in the 2017-18 campaign. If he can maintain his lofty standards in front of the goal, Bengaluru will emerge as one of the strongest contenders for the title.