National football team goalkeeper Subrata Paul is set to become the first Indian player to join a first division side in Europe as he has been offered a six-month contract by Danish top tier club FC Vestsjaelland.
Paul has been offered a contract for the period from January 1 to June 30 next year by Danish Superliga side FC Vestsjaelland, also known as FC Vikings, after a three-week trial stint with the club recently.
Paul told PTI that he would now seek a release on loan from IMG-Reliance with which he has a two-year contract for the proposed Indian Super League.
"I had gone for a three-week trial at FC Vestsjaelland from October 20 onward and I was offered a six-month contract by the club before I left Denmark. The head coach and goalkeeping coach told me they liked my performance," Paul said from Kolkata.
"My dream to play in a top European club has come true and I am going to sign the contract in a few days. I will now approach IMG-Reliance to release me on loan to join FC Vestsjaelland. I think it will be just a formality," said 26-year-old Paul who has earned 67 India caps.
"I thank IMG-Reliance, Anglian Holdings and Red Bull for arranging the trial stint at FC Vestsjaelland."
Paul will become the first Indian footballer to join a top tier side in Europe. Before him, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia had played for English Championship (second tier) side FC Bury from 1999-2002 before current national team skipper Sunil Chhetri joined the reserved team of Sporting Lisbon Club of Portugal last year before ending his contract this year.
