A young lad from Manipur, Naorem Roshan Singh, joined Bengaluru FC in 2018 as an under-18 youth player and is now reaping rewards and giving back to the Blues who showed faith in him. His brilliance in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season is a coming of age story that Roshan will remember as a turning point in his career as he bags the Emerging Player of the Season Award.

A hurting Bengaluru FC found a dependable force in Roshan as the season turned progressively to the Blues’ high standards.

Roshan was the leading Indian assist provider and third overall in the season with seven assists in 17 matches and was the first-choice set-piece striker so much so that his goal ended Kerala Blasters FC’s ten-match unbeaten streak.

Usually, an attacker, head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli identified Roshan’s ability to play multiple roles on the flanks as an asset to his set-up with an option to play on either side of the pitch, adding more value to his skill-set.

In the first few matches, Roshan created chances with impressive delivery inside the box, however, poor finishing from the Blues meant they could not make it count. As fate was to turn the season for the Blues, Roshan marched ahead in the spotlight.

After a string of winless games, Roshan’s Hero of the Match worthy performance against Chennaiyin FC brought the club back on its track, creating two chances, five tackles and six clearances.

The defender responded to big occasions and matched them with big performances. Against Mumbai City FC, Roshan racked up two assists while creating four chances to help his side win commandingly, 3-0.

Roshan ended the season with 77 tackles, 27 interceptions, 40 clearances and 37 blocks to highlight his memorable campaign. 

Roshan started his football career in the BC Roy Junior National Championship for his home state Manipur after which he caught the attention of AIFF scouts. From there, he spent the next couple of years at the AIFF Elite Academy in Goa, before playing for Indian Arrows in the I-League. Then, he represented India at the AFC U19 Championship qualifiers in Saudi Arabia after which coach Naushad Moosa convinced the club to sign him.

His recent exploits have now earned him a national call-up, impressing India’s head coach Igor Stimac to find a place for him in the squad travelling to Bahrain for friendly fixtures ahead of the AFC Asian Cup.

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Bengaluru FC 2021-2022Naorem Singh