Transfer News: ‘Ronaldo of Bhutan’ Chencho Gyeltshen moves to ISL

by Chittu Shetty June 25, 2018

After a successful I League season where he won the title with Minerva and finished as clubs top scorer, Bhutanese Striker Chencho Gyeltshen is now all set to light up Indian Super League

Popularly known as ‘CG7’ or the ‘Ronaldo of Bhutan’ based on his style of player, Chencho Gyeltshen has tasted success in I League last year with seven goals for the title winners Minerva Punjab FC. And while there were reports suggesting East Bengal acquiring the strikers services, Bengaluru FC have swooped in and completed the signing of Bhutanese striker on a one-year deal. The 22-year-old becomes the Blues’ fifth foreigner and the first one the club has ever signed from a fellow SAFF nation.

“Bengaluru FC is one of the top clubs in India but more importantly, it has been my dream to play for them and I’m happy that the move has happened. It’s a team with so many experienced players and the aim is to keep learning from them and improving with every passing day at the club,” said Chencho after completing the formalities.

With ten international goals, he is Bhutan’s all-time leading scorer. He was awarded the MVP(Most Valuable Player) of the league and best forward in his debut season in Hero I league 2017-2018. Having started out his youth career at Yeedzin FC in 2008 as a 12 year old, Chencho has moved up the ranks quickly to make his first team debut in the Bhutan National League. At 17, he picked up his first national title when Yeedzin were crowned Champions of Bhutan. The following season he moved to fellow Bhutanese side Druk United with whom he scored a brace against Mohun Bagan in the 2014 King’s Cup.

Having been successful in Bhutan, Chencho moved to Thailand, where he played for clubs like Buriram United, Surin City and Satun United before returning to Bhutan once again. Chencho starred in the 2016 Bhutan National League finishing as the top-scorer with Thimphu FC before joining FC Tertons for the 2017 AFC Cup Qualifying Stages. He moved abroad for the second time joining Bangladesh’s Chittagong Abahani in October 2016 for the second half of their league campaign.

At the start of the 2017-18 season Chencho joined Minerva Punjab FC in his third move abroad and immediately became an indispensable part of the side. The attacker continued his fine goal scoring form and finished as the top-scorer with seven goals, third highest in the League, helping them to their maiden I-League title. During the 2017-18 pre-season friendly with Bengaluru FC, Chencho impressed everyone with an hat-trick leading his team to a win.

Speaking on the club’s latest acquisition, COO Mustafa Ghouse said the youngster had been on Bengaluru FC’s radar for some time now. “We got to see Chencho in a pre-season friendly against us and then through the entire I-League season with Minerva Punjab and we were impressed to say the least. He’s a gifted youngster who we believe will flourish further in our system.”

At the international level, Chencho has represented Bhutan in various age groups before making his senior debut at just under 16 years scoring in a friendly game against Nepal. In fact, Chencho (10 goals in 29 appearances) is the most capped player for Bhutan as well as their highest ever goal scorer.

Also Read: Transfer News: Lenny Rodrigues returns to his home town, signs for FC Goa

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