Sarpreet Singh became the first player from Indian origin to play in Bundesliga when he came on for Philippe Coutinho in the 82nd minute for Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Bayern registered an emphatic 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen courtesy of Coutinho’s subliminal hat-trick who paved the way for Singh to make his debut in one of the most competitive football leagues in the world.

Singh was born in New Zealand to Indian parents and played for A-League club, Wellington Phoenix before his move to Munich this summer. His impressive performances with Wellington in the 2018-2019 season where the attacking midfielder netted five goals and provided seven crucial assists commanded attention and the Bayern officials ensured that Singh was on the next flight to Munich.

The 20-year-old didn’t have to think twice before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world but had to wait for a couple of months to make his debut with the Bayern’s senior team. Singh was initially given a chance with the reserve team where he displayed immense composure and seriousness on the pitch.

In his 14 appearances so far for the Bayern’s reserve team, the lad scored four goals while assisting seven in the process. If not for a string of injuries to Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso and some breakout performances with the reserve squad, Singh would have to wait even longer to make his debut with the senior team.

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Singh is only the second New Zealand player to play in the Bundesliga after Wynton Rufer who had an eight-year long career in Germany’s top flight football with Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern from 1989 and 1997.

The attacking midfielder also had the privilege of representing the New Zealand national team at the Intercontinental Cup 2018 where he gave two pivotal assists in his team’s 2-1 victory over the Indian national football team.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ Sarpreet Singh

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