He was an eager boy with big dreams. An audacious boy who told his parents that he wanted to quit his studies for football. And he never gave up until it happened.
At the age of 18, Ishan Pandita is the first ever Indian footballer to sign a professional contract with a top-tier La Liga Club. The Bengaluru boy with Kashmiri roots has signed a one-year contract with the newly-promoted Leganes, and handed the No 50 jersey by the club’s vice president and owner, Felipe Moreno.
Although he signed with the first team, he will make his debut with the club’s U 19.
Apart from Leganes, Getafe also expressed interest in the boy. But since Getafe got relegated, Pandita was compelled to pick Leganes, as his dream was to play for the first division.
Leganes academy director Jorge Broto Benavente called the young boy “a rough diamond to be worked on.”
“Right from the moment I decided to take a break from studies till now, I never gave up on my dream,” Pandita said.“It’s a highly competitive league, with all the top clubs like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid involved, I’m going to work really hard.”
Looks like it’s go big or go home with this one. We can’t wait to see the boy in action!
[Source]
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