Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has gone out and made history again… this time, he’s become the first Indian player to play in the Europa League, club football’s second-most prestigious tournament after the Champions League.

Sandhu was named in the starting XI for Stabaek’s first round qualifying match against Connah’s Quay Nomads, a Welsh Premier League club, which, just like the Norwegian club, is playing in the Europa League for the first time. Gurpreet had to come off due to a hand injury after just 27 minutes, but should soon be back between the sticks. Stabaek came away with a 0-0 draw and the second leg is scheduled for 7 July.

Gurpreet is having a phenomenal 2016, having broken into the Stabaek first-team, featuring in three Norwegian Cup matches and also appearing in the league. 

The appearances have made him the first Indian to start for a top-tier European club, the first Indian to play in a top division European league and now he’s leaped into European competition as well.

b’Gurpreet training for India. Facebook’

Gupreet has also clocked up 12 senior appearances for the India team, and was a vital part of their SAFF Cup win earlier this year.

The first round of the Europa League is also played on a home and away basis. The winners of the clash between Stabaek and Nomads will either play Bokelj (Montenegro) or Vojvodina (Serbia).

Feature image source: Facebook