NP Pradeep
Age: 25
Position : Midfielder
Team: McDowell’s Mohun Bagan AC
Native: Idukki
Naduparampil Pappachen Pradeep was born in the small village called Moolamattam, Iddukki in Kerala on April 28th 1983 and has gone on to become one of the most important members of the Indian national team.
Born in Kerala, football came naturally to him and he represented his school in local tournaments.
“I played as a striker then,” said Pradeep reflecting on those early days and moulded himself into a central midfielder
The teenager attended the Kerala U-17 trials and was selected for the same. It was while in the Kerala U-21 camp that Pradeep got a call from India U-19.
He also represented India in the Asian U-20 Championships where they bowed out only in the quarterfinals to South Korea in 2002.
Pradeep was also chosen as the Captain of the Kerala team for the Santosh Trophy 2009.
Pradeep moved to Mahindra United from State Bank of Travancore team. He represented Mumbai’s Mahindra United for several seasons till 2010 and made his way into the national team during this period.
Pradeep represented the Indian national football team in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 at Qatar and started against the national teams of Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.
After the Asian Cup campaign, Pradeep signed a four month contract with Viva Kerala FC in 2011 and is playing for the team in I-League 2010-11. After helping the Kerala club survive relegation, Pradeep went on to join Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, fulfilling his long standing dream of playing for a Kolkata club.
Source: nppradeep.com
