Indian International midfielder and former Mahindra United player NP Pradeep has joined Musli Power X-tra Viva Kerala on a four month deal, the Kerala club has confirmed. The team has also completed the acquisition of Chinta Chandrasekhar from Salgaocar SC.
Pradeep who was a free agent after his former club, Mahindra United, was disbanded post 2010-11 season had decided not to sign any club contracts until the national team's AFC Asian Cup campaign was over. Pradeep will be playing for a team from his home state for the first time after 2006 when he left the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) for Mahindra United with his teammate Mohammed Rafi. Pradeep signed the deal on Tuesday at Viva Kerala's Cochin office.
Pradeep grabbed national attention for the first time when he played a major role in the Indian under-20 team's run into the quarter finals of the AFC Asian U-20 Champiosnhips at Korea in 2002. Pradeep made his national team debut in 2006 and rose to fame after he scored the winner for India in the final of the Nehru Cup 2007. Pradeep has remained the national team coach Bob Houghton's favorite since he started playing for them and also represented the country in the AFC Asain Cup 2011 at Qatar most recently.
If Pradeep can make a quick understanding between Anil Kumar, Karma and Ummer Faroque in the Viva Kerala mdifield, the move might create some respite for Viva Kerala in the I-LEague, who are now struggling with just one win from 11 matches. Pradeep would make his debut for the Kerala club on February 3, 2011 as they face Dempo SC at Kannur.
Image not recoveredAs reported earlier, Viva Kerala's pursuit to sign Chinta Chandrasekhar, another midfielder, has been successful and the former Salgaocar SC player will add to the options for the club in the midfield. Chandrasekhar is a product of the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and has represented Sporting Club de Goa during the times of the National Football League (NFL).
Earlier, Viva Kerala's midfield had been weakened in the midfield after Kalio Kilothungan's contract was terminated by the Viva Kerala officials. The player had joined the team at the start of the season.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Wednesday 26 January 2011, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.
Comments · 4
foolish decission.Not watching the game
NP Pradeep looks heavy in picutres, i doubt whether he can run. viva should check on his diet and training.
pradeeb will be a asset for viva kerala.experianse is the key factor of the game.i thing the main problem goal scoring.pradeeb can solve this problem.
bring one defensieve midfeilder like sushanth mathew.