In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, centre-back Bijay Chhetri has become the first Indian player to sign a permanent contract with a South American football club. The 23-year-old defender joined Uruguayan outfit Colón FC full-time after a brief loan spell from Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC.
Colón FC, based in Montevideo, competes in Uruguay’s Segunda División Profesional, the country’s second-tier league. Chhetri made his debut for the club in November 2024 against La Luz, marking his entry into South American football and becoming only the second Indian to play professionally in Latin America. The first was Romeo Fernandes, who joined Brazilian side Atlético Paranaense on loan in 2015.
Chhetri’s move became permanent in January this year following an encouraging, if limited, start to life at Colón. He featured for just 25 minutes last season, but impressed the club’s management enough to earn a full-time contract.
Taking to social media, Chhetri expressed gratitude to those who supported his transition from India to Uruguay. “Some officials of Colón FC have also been really supportive of my growth since the day I arrived from Chennaiyin FC last year on a loan and subsequently earned a permanent transfer with the club in January. I would like to make a special mention to them,” he wrote.
Hailing from Manipur, Chhetri began his football journey with Shillong Lajong in 2016 before making his senior debut with Indian Arrows in 2018. Over the years, he steadily built a domestic resume, turning out for clubs like Chennai City, Real Kashmir, and Sreenidi Deccan. His stint with Chennaiyin FC this season marked his debut in the Indian Super League.
Despite limited playing time at Colón so far, Chhetri remains determined to make a larger impact in the upcoming season. The move represents not just a personal milestone but a significant step for Indian footballers seeking to establish themselves in non-traditional markets like South America.
With eyes now set on more minutes and meaningful contributions, Chhetri’s journey could open doors for more Indian players to consider footballing careers beyond the country’s borders — even in the football-obsessed regions of South America.
