Jeakson Singh Thounaojam Explained

Jeakson Singh
Fullname:Jeakson Singh Thounaojam
Birth Date:21 June 2001
Currentclub:East Bengal
Clubnumber:5
Position:Defensive midfielder
Youthyears1:2012–2016
Youthclubs1:Chandigarh Football Academy
Youthclubs2:Minerva Punjab
Youthyears2:2016–2017
Years1:2017–2018
Clubs1:Minerva Punjab
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2017–2018
Clubs2:→ Indian Arrows (loan)
Caps2:8
Goals2:0
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Kerala Blasters B
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2018–2019
Clubs4:→ Indian Arrows (loan)
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2019–2024
Clubs5:Kerala Blasters
Caps5:71
Goals5:2
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:East Bengal
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2017–2018
Nationalteam1:India U17
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2018–2020
Nationalteam2:India U20
Nationalcaps2:15
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2019–
Nationalteam3:India U23
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2021–
Nationalteam4:India
Nationalcaps4:22
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:13:30, 8 October 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:15:30, 7 September 2023 (UTC)
Birth Place:Thoubal, Manipur
Height:1.86 m

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

Youth and early career: 2012–2018

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

Kerala Blasters Reserves: 2018–2019 season

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

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

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

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

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.[26]

2023–2024 season

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.[27] 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.[28] On 3 November, the club confirmed that Jeakson has successfully undergone his shoulder surgery.[29]

East Bengal

On July 19, 2024, it was announced that Jeakson had signed with East Bengal with a record transfer-fee of ₹3.2 Crore.[30]

International career

Youth

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.[31] Jeakson later played for the India under-20 team and the India under-23 team.

Senior

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.[32] He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Oman on 25 March 2021.[33]

Jeakson was named in the 23-men Indian squad for the 2021 SAFF Championship in Maldives.[34] 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37]

Personal life

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.[38] Amarjit currently plays for Goa.[39] His younger sister, Kritina Devi Thounaojam, also a footballer, represented India in youth teams.[40]

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Minerva Punjab2017–18I-League0000– –00
Indian Arrows (loan)2017–18I-League8010––90
Kerala Blasters B2018–19I-League 2nd Division5000––50
Indian Arrows (loan)2018–19I-League1000––10
Kerala BlastersIndian Super League13000––130
2020–21Indian Super League16100––161
2021–22Indian Super League19100–30221
2022–23Indian Super League20030––230
2023–24Indian Super League3000–2050
Total71230–50792
Career total85240–50942

International

Appearances and Goals by year
YearAppsGoals
202120
202240
2023110
Total170

Honours

Kerala Blasters

India

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jeakson Singh joins East Bengal: A major boost for the upcoming ISL season . 2024-07-26 . www.transfermarkt.co.in . en.
  2. Web site: Jackson Singh - India U17 team's Manipuri midfield destroyer who croons in Punjabi. www.goal.com. 22 May 2020. 6 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171006113734/http://www.goal.com/en/news/jeakson-singh-india-u17-world-cup-team-destroyer-midfield/y6s83ggg6iik1tpaf5twly2gf. live.
  3. Web site: Who is Jeakson Singh - India's first-ever goalscorer in a World Cup . www.goal.com. en. 22 May 2020. 27 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200627070949/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/who-is-jeakson-singh-indias-first-ever-goalscorer-in-a-world/1vpvkkjksm1za1csiw5mmpcsm8. live.
  4. News: Matos Names 25-member Indian Arrows Squad for Hero I-league 2017-18. 29 November 2017. The All India Football Federation. 29 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617024057/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8674. 17 June 2018. dead.
  5. Web site: Minerva Punjab loaned players. Minerva Punjab (Twitter). 30 November 2017. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710150903/https://twitter.com/minervapunjabfc/status/935784717382586369. live.
  6. Web site: Indian Arrows 3-0 Chennai City. Soccerway. 21 February 2018. 17 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617044323/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/11/29/india/i-league/aiff-xi/chennai-city/2683965/?ICID=PL_MS_04. live.
  7. Web site: Kerala Blasters sign India's FIFA U-17 hero Jeakson Singh. 2020-09-22. OnManorama. en. 1 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001234439/https://www.onmanorama.com/in-depth/indian-super-league-2018/2018/10/03/kerala-blasters-sign-fifa-u-17-hero-jeakson-singh.html. live.
  8. News: Rajiv . Pranay . 2023-10-08 . Jeakson Singh, the heart of Kerala Blasters’ midfield, looks to return the love of Manjappada with an ISL title . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-10-20 . 0971-751X.
  9. Web site: Young Jeakson Singh is taking his chances at Kerala Blasters. 2020-09-22. www.goal.com. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710150739/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/kerala-blasters-jeakson-singh-taking-his-chances/1swyen30ms1j11lfgi7l72vxbw. live.
  10. Web site: 2020-07-24. Nishu Kumar: Jeakson Singh is my favourite player at Kerala Blasters. 2020-09-22. Khel Now. en-US. 20 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920011538/https://khelnow.com/football/isl-kerala-blasters-ishfaq-ahmed-nishu-kumar-instagram-live. live.
  11. Web site: 2020-12-12. Jeakson Singh signs new multi-year contract extension at Kerala Blasters. 12 December 2020. khelnow.com. en. 12 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212154606/https://khelnow.com/football/isl-2020-21-kerala-blasters-jeakson-singh-contract-extension. live.
  12. Web site: 20 December 2020. Jeakson Singh heads in late equaliser for Kerala Blasters to secure a point against East Bengal. 20 December 2020. www.indiansuperleague.com. 20 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201220170727/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/jeakson-singh-heads-in-late-equaliser-for-kerala-blasters-to-secure-a-point-against-sc-east-bengal. live.
  13. Web site: 20 December 2020. Kerala Blasters FC vs SC East Bengal Live Score Update, Commentary, Scorecard, Minute by minute updates. www.indiansuperleague.com. 20 December 2020. 21 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201221042040/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/36506-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-sc-east-bengal. live.
  14. Web site: 27 December 2020. Kerala Blasters FC vs Hyderabad FC Live Score Update, Commentary, Scorecard, Minute by minute updates. 28 December 2020. www.indiansuperleague.com. 27 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227130506/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/36511-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-hyderabad-fc. live.
  15. Web site: Kundu . Abhishek . 21 January 2021 . Three points against Bengaluru FC was very important for us: Kerala Blasters coach Kibu Vicuna . 23 January 2021 . www.sportskeeda.com . en-us . 10 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710150739/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-three-points-bengaluru-fc-important-us-says-kerala-blasters-coach-kibu-vicuna . live .
  16. Web site: Durand Cup 2021: Kerala Blasters FC announces squad. 2021-11-22. Sportstar. en. 2 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902164536/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/durand-cup-2021-kerala-blasters-fc-announces-squad-fixtures-ivan-vukomanovic-jeakson-singh/article36254591.ece. live.
  17. Web site: ISL 2021-22 Highlights ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters: ATKMB opens campaign with 4-2 win; Boumous scores brace on debut. 2021-11-22. Sportstar. en. 19 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211119192201/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/2021-2022/news/isl-2021-22-atk-mohun-bagan-vs-kerala-blasters-live-score-streaming-roy-krishna-boumous-sahal-vazquez-atkmb-kbfc/article37577667.ece. live.
  18. Web site: ISL 2021-22: 10-man Mumbai City FC stunned by Kerala Blasters FC 3-0. 2021-12-19. WION. en. 19 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211219224442/https://www.wionews.com/sports/isl-2021-22-10-man-mumbai-city-fc-stunned-by-kerala-blasters-fc-3-0-438216. live.
  19. Web site: 2022-01-02. FC Goa and Kerala Blasters play out 2-2 draw in a humdinger. 2022-01-03. The Indian Express. en. 3 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103035856/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/fc-goa-and-kerala-blasters-play-out-2-2-draw-in-a-humdinger-7702700/. live.
  20. Web site: ISL 2021-22: FC Goa, Kerala Blasters play out 2-2 draw. 2022-01-03. Olympics.com. 3 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220103035854/https://olympics.com/en/news/isl-2021-22-kerala-blasters-vs-fc-goa-match-result-score. live.
  21. Web site: March 21, 2022 . Adwaidh . Rajan . The strengths of ISL runners-up Kerala Blasters . 2022-05-23 . The Times of India . en . 21 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220321183506/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/the-strengths-of-isl-runners-up-kerala-blasters/articleshow/90359061.cms . live .
  22. Web site: Jeakson Singh to stay with Kerala Blasters till 2025 . 2022-04-27 . Sportstar . en . 27 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427051428/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/2021-2022/jeakson-singh-to-stay-with-kerala-blasters-till-2025/article38479736.ece . live .
  23. Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2022-10-07 . Kerala Blasters 3-1 East Bengal highlights, ISL 2022-23: Ivan’s brace on debut gives KBFC the win against EBFC . 2023-04-11 . sportstar.thehindu.com . en . 29 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129101738/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-kerala-blasters-vs-east-bengal-live-score-indian-super-league-2022-23-kbfc-vs-eb-updates/article65980552.ece . live .
  24. Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2023-04-03 . Super Cup 2023: Kerala Blasters announces 29-men squad . 2023-04-11 . sportstar.thehindu.com . en . 8 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170347/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/kerala-blasters-announces-super-cup-2023-squad-kbfc-players-schedule/article66694929.ece . live .
  25. Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2023-04-08 . Kerala Blasters vs RoundGlass Punjab FC HIGHLIGHTS, Super Cup 2023: Diamantakos, Nishu and Rahul score to give Kerala 3-1 win . 2023-04-11 . sportstar.thehindu.com . en . 8 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170347/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/kerala-blasters-vs-roundglass-punjab-live-score-super-cup-2023-streaming-india-telecast-highlights-lineups/article66713945.ece . live .
  26. Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2023-04-08 . Kerala Blasters vs RoundGlass Punjab FC HIGHLIGHTS, Super Cup 2023: Diamantakos, Nishu and Rahul score to give Kerala 3-1 win . 2023-04-11 . sportstar.thehindu.com . en . 8 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170347/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/kerala-blasters-vs-roundglass-punjab-live-score-super-cup-2023-streaming-india-telecast-highlights-lineups/article66713945.ece . live .
  27. Web site: 2023-08-13 . Kerala Blasters 3-4 Gokulam Kerala Highlights: GKFC beats KBFC to win Kerala Derby in Durand Cup 2023 . 2023-08-16 . Sportstar . en.
  28. Web site: Santhosh . Aswathy . 2023-10-20 . Jeakson Singh faces extended sideline due to injury . 2023-10-20 . thebridge.in . en.
  29. Web site: Sportstar . Team . 2023-11-03 . Jeakson Singh undergoes successful surgery but will miss FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers . 2023-11-04 . Sportstar . en.
  30. Web site: East Bengal to pay record-breaking Rs 3.2+ crores transfer fee for Jeakson Singh . 2024-07-26 . Khel Now . en-us.
  31. Web site: India U17 1-2 Colombia U17. Soccerway. 21 February 2018. 17 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171217204924/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/10/09/world/u17-world-cup/india-india-under-17/colombia-under-17/2501199/. live.
  32. Web site: Indian Football Team To Leave For Dubai On Monday For International Friendlies. 2021-03-14. NDTVSports.com. en. 14 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210314100714/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/indian-football-team-to-leave-for-dubai-on-monday-for-international-friendlies-2390509. live.
  33. Web site: 2021-03-25. India vs Oman, Match Highlights: Manvir Singh's equaliser sees India grind out draw under immense pressure . 2021-03-25. Firstpost. 25 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210325162108/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-vs-oman-match-highlights-manvir-singhs-equaliser-sees-india-grind-out-draw-under-immense-pressure-9463261.html. live.
  34. Web site: Stimac names list of 23 for the SAFF Championship. live. 2021-10-16. All India Football Federation. 26 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210926081018/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/stimac-names-list-of-23-for-the-saff-championship.
  35. Web site: 2021-10-16. India vs Nepal, SAFF Championship 2021 final highlights: India become champions after 3-0 victory. 2021-10-16. Firstpost. en. 16 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211016201747/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-vs-nepal-saff-championship-2021-final-highlights-india-become-champions-after-3-0-victory-10059191.html. live.
  36. News: 7 new faces as Stimac names final list of 25 for friendlies in Bahrain. 21 March 2022. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. 21 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220323072947/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/7-new-faces-as-stimac-names-final-list-of-25-for-friendlies-in-bahrain. 23 March 2022.
  37. Web site: Sportstar . Team . India 4-0 Hong Kong Highlights: AFC Asian Cup qualifier, India beats Hong Kong after 29 years . 2022-06-14 . Sportstar . en . 14 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220614170408/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/india-vs-hong-kong-live-ind-vs-hk-afc-asian-cup-qualifiers-live-score/article38502936.ece . live .
  38. Web site: Under 17 World Cup: Amarjit Singh and Jeakson Singh - brothers in arms - Times of India. The Times of India. 23 May 2020. 5 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805223316/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/2017-u-17-world-cup/news/under-17-world-cup-amarjit-singh-and-jeakson-singh-brothers-in-arms/articleshow/60919654.cms. live.
  39. Web site: Amarjit Singh Kiyam. Indian Super League. 17 June 2020. 17 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200617145451/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/players/midfielder-33993-amarjit-singh-kiyam-profile. live.
  40. Web site: Manipuri cousins hope family tradition continues at India 2021 . 2021-02-27. the-AFC. en-GB. 22 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022073054/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/fifa-u-17-womens-world-cup/latest/news/manipuri-cousins-hope-family-tradition-continues-at-india-2021. live.
  41. Web site: 2022-03-21 . ISL final: Hyderabad give Kerala the blues . 2022-03-21 . The Indian Express . en . 20 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220320220013/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/isl-final-hyderabad-gives-kerala-the-blues-7828652/ . live .

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