Sanju Pradhan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sanju Pradhan

Pradhan captaining East Bengal in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Sanju Pradhan
Date of birth	(1989-03-11) 11 March 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	West Sikkim, Sikkim, India
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Bhawanipore
Number	15
Youth career
1999–2006	Namchi Sports Hostel
2006	Sports Academy of Sikkim
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2008	Air India
2008–2013	East Bengal	139	(15)
2013–2014	Dempo	8	(0)
2014	Atletico de Kolkata	11	(0)
2015	Salgaocar	6	(0)
2015–2016	NorthEast United	11	(0)
2016	→ East Bengal (loan)	9	(0)
2016	FC Pune City	7	(0)
2017	DSK Shivajians	15	(2)
2017–2019	Mumbai City	26	(0)
2019–2021	Minerva Punjab	25	(1)
2021	Bengaluru United	7	(1)
2022–	Bhawanipore	8	(0)
International career‡
2000	India U14
2003–2004	India U17
2012–	India	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:43,03 August 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:50, 28 December 2015 (UTC)

Sanju Pradhan is an Indian football player born on March 11, 1989. He plays as a winger, which means he plays on the sides of the field. Currently, he plays for Bhawanipore FC in the CFL Premier A.

Sanju has won many important football tournaments in India. These include two Federation Cups and one Indian Super Cup with East Bengal. He also played for the Indian national team. In 2016, he became a Technical Partner for Kipsta, a sports brand.

Sanju Pradhan's Football Journey

Starting Out in Sikkim

Sanju Pradhan was born in a village called Sombaria in West Sikkim district, Sikkim, India. He loved football from a young age, watching people play in his village. Even though his school did not have a football team, he found ways to play for other teams.

In April 1999, Sanju was chosen to join the Namchi Sports Hostel Football Academy. Here, he played in the Subroto Cup every year. He also played for the Sikkim football team at a junior level. In 2006, he moved to the Sports Academy of Sikkim.

Later that year, after playing very well in a tournament, Sanju was noticed by the coach of Air India FC. He then signed with Air India, starting his professional career.

Playing for Top Clubs

Time with East Bengal

After two years with Air India FC, Sanju joined East Bengal F.C. in 2008. He scored his first goal for East Bengal on February 7, 2009, against his old team, Air India. East Bengal won that match 3–1.

Sanju also played in his first international club match in the 2010 AFC Cup in March 2010. He scored more goals for East Bengal in matches against Salgaocar F.C. and Churchill Brothers.

One of his most memorable goals came on February 6, 2011. He scored from a penalty kick against East Bengal's big rivals, Mohun Bagan A.C., in front of 60,000 fans. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. In 2011, Sanju was made the captain of East Bengal. He scored two goals in two matches as captain that year.

In the 2012-13 I-League season, Sanju got injured but came back strong. On December 30, 2012, he scored two goals in one match for the first time, helping East Bengal win 3–0 against Pailan Arrows.

Other Teams and Loans

Sanju Pradhan joined Dempo on loan in December 2013. In 2015, he moved to Salgaocar F.C. for a season, where he played with his childhood friend, Bikash Jairu.

In December 2015, Sanju returned to East Bengal F.C. on loan for the 2016 season. In 2017, he joined Mumbai City FC. He was the first player to play for four different clubs in the Indian Super League. He stayed with Mumbai City for another season.

Career Statistics

International Matches

Awards and Trophies

East Bengal

• Federation Cup: 2009–10, 2012
• Indian Super Cup: 2011
• IFA Shield: 2012
• Calcutta Premier Division: 2010, 2011

Atlético de Kolkata

• Indian Super League: 2014

Bhawanipore

• Naihati Gold Cup: 2022
• CFL Premier Division A runner-up: 2022

India

• SAFF Championship: 2015
• Nehru Cup: 2012