Jeakson Singh Thounaojam

In this Meitei name, the family name is Thounaojam and the given name is Jeakson. "Singh" is a name suffix.
Jeakson Singh
Jeakson with Kerala Blasters FC in 2021
Personal information
Full name Jeakson Singh Thounaojam
Date of birth (2001-06-21) 21 June 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Thoubal, Manipur
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 East Bengal
Number 5
Youth career
2012–2016 Chandigarh Football Academy
2016–2017 Minerva Punjab
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Minerva Punjab 0 (0)
2017–2018 → Indian Arrows (loan) 8 (0)
2018–2019 Kerala Blasters B 5 (0)
2018–2019 → Indian Arrows (loan) 1 (0)
2019–2024 Kerala Blasters 71 (2)
2024– East Bengal 1 (0)
International career‡
2017–2018 India U17 5 (1)
2018–2020 India U20 15 (0)
2019– India U23 2 (0)
2021– India 24 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  India
SAFF Championship
Winner 2021 Maldives
Winner 2023 India
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:30, 8 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:30, 7 September 2023 (UTC)

Jeakson Singh Thounaojam (born 21 June 2001) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Indian Super League club East Bengal and the India national team.[1]

Club career

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Youth and early career: 2012–2018

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Born in Manipur, to a family that loved football, Jeakson's early introduction to the sport came from his father, who was a coach.[2] He was eleven years old when he left his hometown in Thoubal district to travel all the way to Chandigarh to join the Chandigarh football academy known as CFA.[3] After around five years at CFA, he later joined Minerva Punjab academy where he was the part of their youth team. He formed a crucial part of the club's academy team which would go on to win the AIFF U-15 & U-16 Youth League titles two consecutive years. After the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Jeakson was selected to play for the Indian Arrows, an All India Football Federation-owned team that would consist of India under-20 players to give them playing time, on loan from Minerva Punjab.[4][5] He made his first-ever professional debut for the side in the Arrows' first match of the season against Chennai City. He started and played 90 minutes as Indian Arrows won 3–0.[6]

Kerala Blasters

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Kerala Blasters Reserves: 2018–2019 season

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In October 2018 Kerala Blasters announced the signing of Jeakson.[7] He was put on to the reserve side and made 5 appearances for the side in the I-League 2nd Division. After the season he was once again loaned to Indian Arrows to get some playing time.[8]

Kerala Blasters: 2019–2020 season

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He was promoted to the senior team by newly appointed Blasters coach Eelco Schattorie for the 2019–20 Indian Super League. He started in the opening game itself against ATK on 20 October 2019[9] becoming the second-youngest player for the Blasters, behind Dheeraj Singh. He played 82 minutes in the defensive midfield position before being substituted by Sahal Abdul Samad, as Kerala Blasters beat ATK 2–1 at home. He was later awarded the Emerging Player of the Match award. Despite the fact that the Blasters had a poor season, he was one of their bright spots and ended up featuring in 13 games in his debut season for the senior side, playing mostly in his natural defensive midfielder position.[10]

2020–2021 season

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On 12 December 2020, the Blasters announced that they have extended Jeakson's contract till the end of 2023 season.[11] On 20 December, he scored his first goal in the Indian Super League as well as for the Blasters by coming in as a substitute for Rohit Kumar in the 46th minute against East Bengal during the stoppage time, taking the game to a 1–1 draw.[12][13] On 27 December 2020, he had a good performance against Hyderabad, as Blasters registered their first win of the season by 2–0, where Jeakson won the Man of the Match award.[14] In the Southern Derby against Bengaluru on 20 January 2021, Jeakson was deployed as a center-back for the first time in his career.[15]

2021–2022 season

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Jeakson was included in the Blasters squad for the 2021 Durand Cup, where he played all three matches for the club in the tournament.[16] He played his first league match of the 2021–22 season on 19 November 2021 in the season opener against ATK Mohun Bagan, which they lost 4–2.[17] On 19 December, he provided an assist to Álvaro Vázquez who scored the second goal in a 3–0 victory against Mumbai City FC.[18] Jeakson scored his first goal of the season against FC Goa on 2 January 2022, which ended in a dramatic 2–2 draw.[19][20] He formed a solid partnership with Puitea in the midfield and helped the Blasters to reach the finals, which they lost to Hyderabad on penalties.[21]

2022–2023 season

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On 25 April 2022, Jeakson signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the club till 2025.[22] He played his first match of the 2022–23 Indian Super League season against East Bengal in the opening match of the season on 7 October, which they won 3–1.[23] He was also included in the Blasters' squad for the 2023 Indian Super Cup season after the exit in the infamous ISL knockout stage match,[24] and started as a substitute for Danish Farooq in the first group stage match against RoundGlass Punjab FC on 8 April 2023 in the 81st minute,[25] as the Blasters won the match 3–1 at full-time.[25]

2023–2024 season

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In July 2023, after the departure of Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson became the longest serving player in the Blasters squad. He played his first match of the season against Gokulam Kerala FC in the 2023 Durand Cup tournament on 13 August 2023, which they lost 3–4.[26] In the first away league game of the season against Mumbai City on 8 October, Jeakson was substituted in the beginning of second half after suffering a shoulder injury following a challenge on Greg Stewart. On 20 October, the Blasters' assistant coach Frank Dauwen, during the pre-match press conference said that Jeakson needs surgery and will be out of action for two to three months.[27] On 3 November, the club confirmed that Jeakson has successfully undergone his shoulder surgery.[28]

East Bengal

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On July 19, 2024, it was announced that Jeakson had signed with East Bengal. He signed a 4 year deal with them for a record transfer-fee of ₹3.2 Crore, which was the highest in the Indian football's history.[29]

International career

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Youth

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Jeakson represented the India under-17 side which participated in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was hosted in India.[4] In India's second match of the tournament, on 9 October 2017 against Colombia, he scored India's first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup tournament. His 82nd-minute header from a corner was the equaliser for India but the team conceded again a minute later, and went on to be defeated 2–1.[30] Jeakson later played for the India under-20 team and the India under-23 team.

Senior

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After a breakthrough season with Kerala Blasters in the 2019–2021 season, he was named in the list of probables for India's World Cup Qualifier against Qatar, but didn't make it to the final squad.

In March 2021, Jeakson was included in the final squad for India's friendlies against Oman and UAE.[31] He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Oman on 25 March 2021.[32]

Jeakson was named in the 23-men Indian squad for the 2021 SAFF Championship in Maldives.[33] He made his only appearance in the tournament by coming as a substitute in the final against Nepal, where India won the match 3–0.[34] In March 2022, he was again included in the national squad by coach Igor Štimac ahead of India's two friendly matches against Bahrain and Belarus.[35] On 14 June, Jeakson provided an assist for Sunil Chhetri's second goal against Hong Kong in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification, which India won 4–0.[36]

Personal life

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His cousin, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, is also a footballer. Both of them represented the Indian under-17 national team in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup India where Amarjit captained the side.[37] Amarjit currently plays for Goa.[38] His younger sister, Kritina Devi Thounaojam, also a footballer, represented India in youth teams.[39]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of matches played till 8 October 2023[40]
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Minerva Punjab 2017–18 I-League 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Indian Arrows (loan) 2017–18 I-League 8 0 1 0 – – 9 0
Kerala Blasters B 2018–19 I-League 2nd Division 5 0 0 0 – – 5 0
Indian Arrows (loan) 2018–19 I-League 1 0 0 0 – – 1 0
Kerala Blasters 2019–20 Indian Super League 13 0 0 0 – – 13 0
2020–21 Indian Super League 16 1 0 0 – – 16 1
2021–22 Indian Super League 19 1 0 0 – 3[b] 0 22 1
2022–23 Indian Super League 20 0 3 0 – – 23 0
2023–24 Indian Super League 3 0 0 0 – 2[b] 0 5 0
Total 71 2 3 0 – 5 0 79 2
Career total 85 2 4 0 – 5 0 94 2
  1. ^ Includes Super Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Durand Cup

International

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As of 4 July 2023[40]
Appearances and Goals by year
Year Apps Goals
2021 2 0
2022 4 0
2023 11 0
Total 17 0

Honours

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Kerala Blasters

India

References

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  1. ^ "Jeakson Singh joins East Bengal: A major boost for the upcoming ISL season". www.transfermarkt.co.in. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Jackson Singh - India U17 team's Manipuri midfield destroyer who croons in Punjabi". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Who is Jeakson Singh - India's first-ever goalscorer in a World Cup". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Matos Names 25-member Indian Arrows Squad for Hero I-league 2017-18". The All India Football Federation. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Minerva Punjab loaned players". Minerva Punjab (Twitter). Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Indian Arrows 3-0 Chennai City". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Kerala Blasters sign India's FIFA U-17 hero Jeakson Singh". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  8. ^ Rajiv, Pranay (8 October 2023). "Jeakson Singh, the heart of Kerala Blasters' midfield, looks to return the love of Manjappada with an ISL title". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Young Jeakson Singh is taking his chances at Kerala Blasters". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Nishu Kumar: Jeakson Singh is my favourite player at Kerala Blasters". Khel Now. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Jeakson Singh signs new multi-year contract extension at Kerala Blasters". khelnow.com. 12 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Jeakson Singh heads in late equaliser for Kerala Blasters to secure a point against East Bengal". www.indiansuperleague.com. 20 December 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Kerala Blasters FC vs SC East Bengal Live Score Update, Commentary, Scorecard, Minute by minute updates". www.indiansuperleague.com. 20 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Kerala Blasters FC vs Hyderabad FC Live Score Update, Commentary, Scorecard, Minute by minute updates". www.indiansuperleague.com. 27 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  15. ^ Kundu, Abhishek (21 January 2021). "Three points against Bengaluru FC was very important for us: Kerala Blasters coach Kibu Vicuna". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Durand Cup 2021: Kerala Blasters FC announces squad". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  17. ^ "ISL 2021-22 Highlights ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters: ATKMB opens campaign with 4-2 win; Boumous scores brace on debut". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  18. ^ "ISL 2021-22: 10-man Mumbai City FC stunned by Kerala Blasters FC 3-0". WION. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  19. ^ "FC Goa and Kerala Blasters play out 2-2 draw in a humdinger". The Indian Express. 2 January 2022. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  20. ^ "ISL 2021-22: FC Goa, Kerala Blasters play out 2-2 draw". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  21. ^ Rajan, Adwaidh (21 March 2022). "The strengths of ISL runners-up Kerala Blasters". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Jeakson Singh to stay with Kerala Blasters till 2025". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  23. ^ Sportstar, Team (7 October 2022). "Kerala Blasters 3-1 East Bengal highlights, ISL 2022-23: Ivan's brace on debut gives KBFC the win against EBFC". sportstar.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  24. ^ Sportstar, Team (3 April 2023). "Super Cup 2023: Kerala Blasters announces 29-men squad". sportstar.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  25. ^ a b Sportstar, Team (8 April 2023). "Kerala Blasters vs RoundGlass Punjab FC HIGHLIGHTS, Super Cup 2023: Diamantakos, Nishu and Rahul score to give Kerala 3-1 win". sportstar.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  26. ^ "Kerala Blasters 3-4 Gokulam Kerala Highlights: GKFC beats KBFC to win Kerala Derby in Durand Cup 2023". Sportstar. 13 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  27. ^ Santhosh, Aswathy (20 October 2023). "Jeakson Singh faces extended sideline due to injury". thebridge.in. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  28. ^ Sportstar, Team (3 November 2023). "Jeakson Singh undergoes successful surgery but will miss FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers". Sportstar. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  29. ^ "East Bengal to pay record-breaking Rs 3.2+ crores transfer fee for Jeakson Singh". Khel Now. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  30. ^ "India U17 1-2 Colombia U17". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  31. ^ "Indian Football Team To Leave For Dubai On Monday For International Friendlies". NDTVSports.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  32. ^ "India vs Oman, Match Highlights: Manvir Singh's equaliser sees India grind out draw under immense pressure". Firstpost. 25 March 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Stimac names list of 23 for the SAFF Championship". All India Football Federation. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  34. ^ "India vs Nepal, SAFF Championship 2021 final highlights: India become champions after 3-0 victory". Firstpost. 16 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  35. ^ "7 new faces as Stimac names final list of 25 for friendlies in Bahrain". the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  36. ^ Sportstar, Team. "India 4-0 Hong Kong Highlights: AFC Asian Cup qualifier, India beats Hong Kong after 29 years". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Under 17 World Cup: Amarjit Singh and Jeakson Singh - brothers in arms - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  38. ^ "Amarjit Singh Kiyam". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Manipuri cousins hope family tradition continues at India 2021". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  40. ^ a b Jeakson Singh Thounaojam at Soccerway
  41. ^ "ISL final: Hyderabad give Kerala the blues". The Indian Express. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

Further reading

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