Dheeraj Singh quits Arrows for foreign dream

PANAJI: Indian Arrows goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh has quit the team after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) insisted he signs a three-year contract extension like all other players.
The star U-17 goalkeeper remained the number one choice for coach Luis Norton de Matos till the last I-League clash against Mohun Bagan where he was named Man-of-the-Match. Securing a point from Mohun Bagan at their home ground was a stunning result for the young Arrows.But this also turns out to be the final time that Dheeraj would do duty for the AIFF's developmental side in the I-League.
Dheeraj's contract with the AIFF ends on December 31, 2017, and even though he was keen on extending the deal till end of season, the AIFF insisted on the Manipuri lad inking a three-year contract extension.
The star who guarded the Indian goal at the Fifa U-17 World Cup has already left the team hotel in Kolkata and will explore other options which includes Motherwell FC (Scottish Premiership), Charlton Athletic Club (League One in England) and Toronto FC (MLS champions). Talks with English Premier League side West Ham United have also picked up pace.
"It didn't make sense for Dheeraj to be tied down by another contract for three years (by the AIFF). He wants to trial abroad and try his luck on foreign soil," his agent, Anuj Kichlu, told TOI on Saturday.
The AIFF, on the other hand, said they couldn't make an exception for Dheeraj. "We were offering Dheeraj the same contract which we offered to the rest of the team. We are not a club, so cannot differentiate," said a AIFF official.
Dheeraj is expected to leave for Scotland as soon he gets his visa and trial with the senior team of Motherwell FC, currently in the Scottish Premiership. Other options include an offer of trial with the reserve team of Charlton Athletic, a League One side in England, while talks with West Ham are moving in the right direction.