Mutum Bijen Singh (born 10 February 1979) is a retired Indian professional footballer who played as a forward. He played most of his professional career for East Bengal in the National Football League and I-League.[1]

Bijen Singh
Personal information
Full name Mutum Bijen Singh
Date of birth (1979-02-10) 10 February 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Imphal, Manipur
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 5+12 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1995–1997 Tata Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 East Bengal
2002–2003 Dempo
2003–2005 East Bengal
2005–2008 Mohammedan Sporting
2008–2009 Salgaocar
International career
2002 India U23
2000–2004 India 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 November 2020
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 November 2020

Career

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Born in Imphal, Manipur, Bijen Singh graduated from the Tata Football Academy in 1997 and began his professional career with Kolkata giants East Bengal where he went on to play for five seasons, before moving out to Dempo in 2002. At Dempo, he spent a single season before returning to East Bengal in 2003 where he played a pivotal role in the famous 2003 ASEAN Club Championship triumph and then the National Football League title.[1][2]

Bijen made his International debut against Japan in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers. He made two appearances for the national team, both against Japan.[3][4]

East Bengal

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In 1997, after graduating from the Tata Football Academy, Bijen Singh joined East Bengal FC and went on to play for the next five seasons, and once again returning in 2003 to play two more seasons for the club. In his 7 seasons with the Red and Gold brigade, Bijen Singh won a total of 18 trophies for the club, including two National Football League titles, the famous ASEAN Club Championship title, three IFA Shield titles, Durand Cup title, five Calcutta Premier Division titles and few others.

Bijen Singh was named as the captain of East Bengal in the 2000–01 season, where the team won their maiden National Football League title.[5]

Bijen Singh was pivotal in the club's success in the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship in Jakarta where he partnered with Bhaichung Bhutia to take East Bengal to the final of the tournament. He scored the all-important winner against Persita Tangerang in the Quarter-Finals of the tournament.[6][7]

Bijen was prolific in the 2003-04 season as he scored 6 goals in all competitions which earned him a callup to the national team.[8]

Honours

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East Bengal[9][10]

India U23

Manipur

References

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  1. ^ a b Bijen Singh at Soccerway
  2. ^ Sengupta, Somnath (13 July 2011). "Tactical Evolution Of Indian Football: Part Four – Modern Era (1999—2011)". thehardtackle.com. Kolkata: The Hard Tackle. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Singh, Mutum Bijen". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Mutum Bijen Singh". Football Database. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Bijen Singh Remembers his Golden Moments in East Bengal Club". East Bengal Club (You Tub). Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  6. ^ "East Bengal in ASEAN semis". Rediff. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b "East Bengal's greatest hour: the 2003 ASEAN Cup triumph". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  8. ^ "BIJEN SINGH IN SQUAD". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  9. ^ "TROPHY ROOM". East Bengal Club. Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Seasons in Indian Football". Indian Football. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Ho Chi Minh City Cups". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  12. ^ Das Sharma, Amitabha (6 November 2002). "Manipur is champion". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
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